諺語 · a single proverb
禍從口出，病從口入
Simplified: 祸从口出，病从口入
What does 禍從口出，病從口入 (huò cóng kǒu chū bìng cóng kǒu rù) mean?
禍從口出，病從口入 (huò cóng kǒu chū bìng cóng kǒu rù) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "disaster exits from mouth, illness enters through mouth." In use it means: Reckless words invite disaster; careless eating invites illness-the mouth is a two-way gate. 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 Pig.
Literally: "disaster exits from mouth, illness enters through mouth."
The reading
The mouth is the most consequential opening on the body, managing both what enters and what departs. Words sent outward and food taken inward are both subject to the same question: is this going to help or harm. The thoughtful person pauses at the gate, in both directions.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese health and wisdom saying (common in both contexts)
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 Nature, Seasons & Health, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Pig, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Rabbit.
Questions
Is 禍從口出，病從口入 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 禍從口出，病從口入 (huò cóng kǒu chū bìng cóng kǒu rù) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese health and wisdom saying (common in both contexts). 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 禍從口出，病從口入?
In Mandarin it is huò cóng kǒu chū bìng cóng kǒu rù. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 禍從口出，病從口入 aloud in Mandarin.