諺語 · a single proverb
忠言逆耳利於行
Simplified: 忠言逆耳利于行
What does 忠言逆耳利於行 (zhōng yán nì ěr lì yú xíng) mean?
忠言逆耳利於行 (zhōng yán nì ěr lì yú xíng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "loyal words grate on the ear but benefit the conduct." In use it means: Honest, frank advice is uncomfortable to hear but invaluable for guiding right action. 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 Rooster.
Literally: "loyal words grate on the ear but benefit the conduct."
The reading
Flattery is easy to receive and does nothing for you. The honest word that stings a little-that one changes your direction. The sting fades in a day. The correction it produces can last a lifetime. Seek the people who tell you the true thing.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Records of the Grand Historian 史記, Huaiyin Marquis (淮陰侯列傳); also Kongzi Jiayu 孔子家語
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 Rooster, Year of the Frog, and Year of the Rat.
Questions
Is 忠言逆耳利於行 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 忠言逆耳利於行 (zhōng yán nì ěr lì yú xíng) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Records of the Grand Historian 史記, Huaiyin Marquis (淮陰侯列傳); also Kongzi Jiayu 孔子家語. 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 忠言逆耳利於行?
In Mandarin it is zhōng yán nì ěr lì yú xíng. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 忠言逆耳利於行 aloud in Mandarin.