諺語 · a single proverb
天外有天，人外有人
What does 天外有天，人外有人 (tiān wài yǒu tiān rén wài yǒu rén) mean?
天外有天，人外有人 (tiān wài yǒu tiān rén wài yǒu rén) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "beyond sky there is sky, beyond person there is person." In use it means: There is always someone more capable; do not become arrogant. 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 Dragon.
Literally: "beyond sky there is sky, beyond person there is person."
The reading
Summit after summit reveals another summit, and the horizon retreats at the same pace you approach it. This is not discouraging but orienting: there is always more to learn, always someone whose skill exceeds yours. Pride is simply forgetting how large the sky is.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese folk proverb (yanyu)
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 Humility & Self-Mastery, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 天外有天，人外有人 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 天外有天，人外有人 (tiān wài yǒu tiān rén wài yǒu rén) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese folk proverb (yanyu). 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 天外有天，人外有人?
In Mandarin it is tiān wài yǒu tiān rén wài yǒu rén. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 天外有天，人外有人 aloud in Mandarin.