諺語 · a single proverb
強中自有強中手
What does 強中自有強中手 (qiáng zhōng zì yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu) mean?
強中自有強中手 (qiáng zhōng zì yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "among the strong there are naturally even stronger hands." In use it means: No matter how strong you are, there is always someone stronger; there is always a higher level. 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 Tiger.
Literally: "among the strong there are naturally even stronger hands."
The reading
The strongest person in any room has arrived at the top of that particular room. Outside the room, the ranking changes. This is the correct relationship between pride and humility: genuine strength is well-earned and real, and also fully aware that it is local, contextual, and temporary. The best competitors know this best.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese folk saying (common in martial arts culture)
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 Tiger, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 強中自有強中手 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 強中自有強中手 (qiáng zhōng zì yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese folk saying (common in martial arts culture). 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 強中自有強中手?
In Mandarin it is qiáng zhōng zì yǒu qiáng zhōng shǒu. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 強中自有強中手 aloud in Mandarin.