Universal Proverb Dictionary

Author: Wen Duanzheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: What is a maxim? The Great Chinese Dictionary and the Ciyuan (Revised Edition) both define it as "a saying with educational significance that can serve as a guiding principle." This definition encompasses two meanings: one is that the content of a maxim has educational significance and can serve as a standard for people's behavior; the other is that in form, a maxim is "a saying," meaning a sentence. Maxims, also known as proverbs in ancient times, refer to words of admonition and warning. One of the main purposes of citing maxims is to offer advice or guidance to improve personal cultivation, setting them apart from general famous sayings or aphorisms. Another important purpose of citing maxims is to narrate or discuss the history and culture of a nation. Maxims have many uses, and we can hear them frequently, serving as standards for regulating people's speech and behavior. Correctly understanding and applying maxims can not only enhance language expression skills but also improve our level of cognitive understanding. As a general-purpose reference book, it is neither possible nor necessary to include every maxim. We have selected those that are widely used and rich in educational value, primarily from ancient times, with some appropriately chosen from modern times as well. For each entry, in addition to providing necessary annotations for parts that may be difficult to understand and indicating their sources, we have also included usage examples. We have done this to help readers deepen their understanding of the maxims and appreciate their correct usage. Whether we have achieved the desired goals remains to be seen by the readers.