諺語 · a single proverb
只見樹木，不見森林
Simplified: 只见树木，不见森林
What does 只見樹木，不見森林 (zhǐ jiàn shù mù, bù jiàn sēn lín) mean?
只見樹木，不見森林 (zhǐ jiàn shù mù, bù jiàn sēn lín) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "see only the trees, not the forest." In use it means: Focusing on details while missing the larger picture; losing perspective through narrow attention. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rabbit.
Literally: "see only the trees, not the forest."
The reading
Every tree is perfectly cataloged. The forest as a whole is invisible. Detail and perspective are competing demands. The more carefully you examine one tree, the less you can see of what surrounds it. Step back periodically. The forest has a shape that no individual tree can show you.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Modern Chinese adaptation of a widespread metaphor; common in analytical discourse
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 Wisdom & Learning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rabbit, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 只見樹木，不見森林 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 只見樹木，不見森林 (zhǐ jiàn shù mù, bù jiàn sēn lín) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Modern Chinese adaptation of a widespread metaphor; common in analytical discourse. 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 只見樹木，不見森林?
In Mandarin it is zhǐ jiàn shù mù, bù jiàn sēn lín. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 只見樹木，不見森林 aloud in Mandarin.