諺語 · a single proverb
與人為善
Simplified: 与人为善
What does 與人為善 (yǔ rén wéi shàn) mean?
與人為善 (yǔ rén wéi shàn) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語). Word for word it reads "with others, act with goodness." In use it means: Be kind to people; approach others with a generous and benevolent spirit. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Earth note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Pig.
Literally: "with others, act with goodness."
The reading
Goodness given away does not diminish the giver. It does something stranger-it accumulates. The person known for treating others well finds that others want to treat them well in return, until the whole arrangement becomes self-sustaining.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Mencius 孟子, Gongsun Chou I 公孫丑上
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 Harmony, Virtue & Balance, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Pig, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 與人為善 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 與人為善 (yǔ rén wéi shàn) is a four-character classical idiom (chéngyǔ 成語), and it comes from Mencius 孟子, Gongsun Chou I 公孫丑上. 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 與人為善?
In Mandarin it is yǔ rén wéi shàn. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 與人為善 aloud in Mandarin.