諺語 · a single proverb
窮則思變
Simplified: 穷则思变
What does 窮則思變 (qióng zé sī biàn) mean?
窮則思變 (qióng zé sī biàn) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "when at an impasse, think of changing." In use it means: Difficult situations push you to find new solutions; adversity is the mother of adaptation. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Horse.
Literally: "when at an impasse, think of changing."
The reading
The road ends. Now what? The person who sits down and waits for the road to extend itself will sit there a long time. The one who says 'well, there must be another way' and starts looking, that person has already begun the next chapter. Dead ends are invitations to turn.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Book of Changes 易經 (Xici Zhuan 繫辭傳)
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 Horse, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 窮則思變 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 窮則思變 (qióng zé sī biàn) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Book of Changes 易經 (Xici Zhuan 繫辭傳). 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 窮則思變?
In Mandarin it is qióng zé sī biàn. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 窮則思變 aloud in Mandarin.