諺語 · a single proverb
木秀於林，風必摧之
Simplified: 木秀于林，风必摧之
What does 木秀於林，風必摧之 (mù xiù yú lín fēng bì cuī zhī) mean?
木秀於林，風必摧之 (mù xiù yú lín fēng bì cuī zhī) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "the tree that stands above the forest, the wind will surely break it." In use it means: Standing out invites attack. The tallest tree catches the most wind. Visibility is both an achievement and a vulnerability. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Tiger.
Literally: "the tree that stands above the forest, the wind will surely break it."
The reading
The tree did everything right. It grew faster, reached higher, found more sunlight. And the wind noticed. Excellence attracts admiration and also the storm that comes with it. This is not a reason to stay short. It is a reason to grow roots as deep as the trunk is tall.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Li Kang 李康, 'Discourse on Destiny' 運命論 (Wei-Jin era)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Adversity & Resilience, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Tiger, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 木秀於林，風必摧之 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 木秀於林，風必摧之 (mù xiù yú lín fēng bì cuī zhī) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞), and it comes from Li Kang 李康, 'Discourse on Destiny' 運命論 (Wei-Jin era). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 木秀於林，風必摧之?
In Mandarin it is mù xiù yú lín fēng bì cuī zhī. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 木秀於林，風必摧之 aloud in Mandarin.