Chinese Proverbs About Money & Wealth
Money and wealth have been subjects of Chinese wisdom for millennia. From merchant wisdom passed through generations to philosophical reflections on the nature of prosperity, these proverbs offer nuanced perspectives on material success.
Chinese culture has long recognized both the practical necessity of wealth and its potential to corrupt. These sayings often balance practical financial advice with warnings about greed, reminding us that true prosperity extends beyond mere accumulation of money.
Whether you’re building wealth, facing financial challenges, or reflecting on your relationship with material possessions, these proverbs provide guidance. They speak to earning, saving, giving, and understanding what it truly means to be rich.
贫贱不能移
Pín jiàn bù néng yí
"Poverty and lowliness cannot make one waver"
试金之石可试金，金可试人
Shì jīn zhī shí kě shì jīn, jīn kě shì rén
"A touchstone can test gold, and gold can test a person"
金钱不是万能的
Jīn qián bù shì wàn néng de
"Money is not omnipotent"
一寸光阴一寸金
Yī cùn guāng yīn yī cùn jīn
"An inch of time is worth an inch of gold"