Bilingual Bedtime Stories

自相矛盾 (The Spear and Shield)

比喻行事或言语先后不相应、互相抵触。Think before you speak.

井底之蛙 (The Frog at the Bottom of the Well)

山外有山，人外有人，不管什么时候都要清楚自己的位置，否则很容易因为自大而给自己带来麻烦。If you only know your little corner of the world, you’ll never understand how big life really is.

刻舟求剑 (The Sword in the River)

做事前要先观察实际情况，再制定办法。We should observe what's happening first before coming up with a solution.

守株待兔 (The Rabbit and the Tree Stump)

我们不能指望幸运替代努力，否则只会错失真正的收获。You can’t depend on luck to replace effort. Success requires consistent work, not idle waiting for opportunities that might never come.

马马虎虎 (The Painting of Horse or Tiger)

做事不能随便、不能粗心大意。When we’re not clear, people can be confused, and confusion can lead to big problems.