諺語 · a single proverb
寧為雞口，不為牛後
Simplified: 宁为鸡口，不为牛后
What does 寧為雞口，不為牛後 (nìng wéi jī kǒu bù wéi niú hòu) mean?
寧為雞口，不為牛後 (nìng wéi jī kǒu bù wéi niú hòu) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "better the beak of a chicken than the tail of an ox." In use it means: Better to lead a small group than follow at the back of a large one. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Metal note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rooster.
Literally: "better the beak of a chicken than the tail of an ox."
The reading
The front of the small thing sees the road. The back of the large thing sees nothing but what is in front of it. Position matters more than size. Leading something small gives you vision, agency, and the experience of setting direction, which trailing something large never will.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Strategies of the Warring States 戰國策, Han Ce 韓策
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 Courage & Decisive Action, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rooster, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 寧為雞口，不為牛後 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 寧為雞口，不為牛後 (nìng wéi jī kǒu bù wéi niú hòu) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Strategies of the Warring States 戰國策, Han Ce 韓策. 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 寧為雞口，不為牛後?
In Mandarin it is nìng wéi jī kǒu bù wéi niú hòu. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 寧為雞口，不為牛後 aloud in Mandarin.