諺語 · a single proverb
事實勝於雄辯
Simplified: 事实胜于雄辩
What does 事實勝於雄辯 (shì shí shèng yú xióng biàn) mean?
事實勝於雄辯 (shì shí shèng yú xióng biàn) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "facts outweigh eloquent argument." In use it means: Evidence speaks louder than rhetoric; results prove more than words. 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 Dog.
Literally: "facts outweigh eloquent argument."
The reading
The argument was beautiful. The facts were not. When the two collide, the facts win every time, no matter how poorly dressed they are. Eloquence is a suit. Evidence is the body inside it.
What kind of proverb it is
Source modern literary idiom; classical roots in Xunzi 荀子
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 Friendship, Trust & Speech, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dog, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 事實勝於雄辯 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 事實勝於雄辯 (shì shí shèng yú xióng biàn) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from modern literary idiom; classical roots in Xunzi 荀子. 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 事實勝於雄辯?
In Mandarin it is shì shí shèng yú xióng biàn. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 事實勝於雄辯 aloud in Mandarin.