諺語 · a single proverb

錢qián財cái如rú糞fèn土tǔ,，仁rén義yì值zhí千qiān金jīn

Simplified: 钱财如粪土，仁义值千金

qián cái rú fèn tǔ, rén yì zhí qiān jīn

What does 錢財如糞土，仁義值千金 (qián cái rú fèn tǔ, rén yì zhí qiān jīn) mean?

錢財如糞土，仁義值千金 (qián cái rú fèn tǔ, rén yì zhí qiān jīn) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "Money is like dung; benevolence and righteousness are worth a thousand gold pieces." In use it means: Material wealth is ultimately worthless compared to moral character. A reputation for integrity is the most valuable asset a person or merchant can possess. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Earth note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dog.

Literally: "Money is like dung; benevolence and righteousness are worth a thousand gold pieces.."

The reading

This proverb does not ask you to throw away your money, only to understand its proper rank. The merchant who sacrifices integrity for profit is trading gold for dirt. A good name, once lost, cannot be bought back at any price. Entire trading dynasties were built not on capital but on the trust their name carried across provinces. Virtue is the original form of credit.

What kind of proverb it is

Source Traditional proverb, associated with Ming-era morality texts (善書)

Sits beside

冰清玉潔

bīng qīng yù jié

Spotless and pure character.

張三李四

zhāng sān lǐ sì

Any random person.

忙中不忘善

máng zhōng bù wàng shàn

Even in the middle of busy activity, do not forget to act with kindness.

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 Harmony, Virtue & Balance, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.

Questions

Is 錢財如糞土，仁義值千金 a real Chinese proverb?

Yes. 錢財如糞土，仁義值千金 (qián cái rú fèn tǔ, rén yì zhí qiān jīn) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional proverb, associated with Ming-era morality texts (善書). 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 錢財如糞土，仁義值千金?

In Mandarin it is qián cái rú fèn tǔ, rén yì zhí qiān jīn. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 錢財如糞土，仁義值千金 aloud in Mandarin.