諺語 · a single proverb
言必信，行必果
What does 言必信，行必果 (yán bì xìn xíng bì guǒ) mean?
言必信，行必果 (yán bì xìn xíng bì guǒ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "speech must be trustworthy, action must bear fruit." In use it means: Be as good as your word; follow through on what you say. 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: "speech must be trustworthy, action must bear fruit."
The reading
A promise is a seed and deeds are the water it either receives or does not. The person whose words and actions do not match each other builds nothing that can stand inspection. Trust is the only currency that grows heavier with use.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Analects of Confucius 論語·子路 (Zǐ Lù XIII)
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 Horse, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 言必信，行必果 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 言必信，行必果 (yán bì xìn xíng bì guǒ) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Analects of Confucius 論語·子路 (Zǐ Lù XIII). 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 言必信，行必果?
In Mandarin it is yán bì xìn xíng bì guǒ. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 言必信，行必果 aloud in Mandarin.