以下是一些常見的中文口語或名言。其中有些中國的生活哲理，華人家長有時不妨向在美長大的孩子「蓋仙」一番，也許對他們的修身養性，待人處世，自警自勵，有點好處呢！
（1）吃得苦中苦，方為人上人：

（沒有受到真正艱苦的人，就很難成為堅強有為的人。）

可譯為：

If you are unwilling to suffer through a real hardship, you will not grow into a better person.

或：

A person may become stronger by overcoming hard-ship and suffering.

或：

To endure hardship may pay off in the long run.

（2）家貧出孝子，國亂識忠臣：

（貧窮的家庭，往往有孝順的孩子；動亂不安的國家，才能識別忠奸的官員。）

可譯成：

A poor family can bring up good and decent children ; a suffering country will uncover its loyal officials.

或：

In times of turmoil, a country will know its loyal offi-cials ; a poor family tends to raise decent and obedient children.

註：老外沒有孝道（filial piety）或孝順（filial obedience）的思想，也不能瞭解。

（3）一爭兩醜，一讓兩有：

（爭鬥起來，雙方都不好看；相讓一下，事情就好辦。）

可譯為：

A conflict between two parties is detrimental to both sides ; while compromise is mutually beneficial.

或：

Both parties suffer when there is a disagreement.

It is better to find a win-win solution.

（4）貧則無慮，賤則常安：

（富有的人，不如貧窮的人那樣無憂無慮；顯貴的人，不如卑賤的人那麼平安自在。）

可譯為：

The poor do not suffer the worry and anxiety of the wealthy ; the ordinary folks experience greater peace and contentment than the upper class.

或：

In comparison with the rich, the poor experience less concern and fear ; in comparison with the upper class, the ordinary people have greater peace of mind.

（the poor 和 the rich 都是指多數的窮人和富人。in comparison with 也可用compared to 代替。）

（5）路遙知馬力，日久見人心：

（路走遠了，才能知道馬的精力；時間久了，就能看出一個人的品格。）

可譯成：

You can realize a horse's strength after a long dis-tance ; you will know a person's character after a long period of time.

或：

Distance may reveal a horse's strength ; time will show a person's character.

（6）不憂利祿，不畏仕禍：

（如果不追求榮華富貴，就不會擔心名利榮祿的誘惑。如果不想升官發財，就不會擔心官場上潛伏的禍患。）

可譯為：

If you do not desire fame and wealth, you will not be tempted by them ; if you do not seek promotion or high ranks, you will avoid potential trouble.

或：

One can walk away from the temptation of wealth and fame by letting go of the desire for them; one can avoid trouble by staying away from high political positions.

（上面兩句的 them 都是指 wealth 和 fame）

（7）十年樹木，百年樹人：

（培養人才，要有長遠的計畫。）

照字意可譯為：

It takes ten years to grow a tree; but it may take one hundred years to make a person.

也就是：

To cultivate well-educated citizens requires a long-range plan.

或：

It takes a lifetime fo build a person's character.

（8）勿以長欺短，勿以富凌貧：

（聰明人不要誇耀自己的才華來暴露別人的缺點；有錢人不要用自己的財富去欺凌別人的貧窮。）

可譯成：

Do not show off your intelligence or ability in order to expose other's shortcomings.

Do not oppress the poor by using your power of wealth.

或：

Don't expose other's weaknesses（或shortcomings）by showing off your intelligence or ability; don't use your power of wealth to oppress the poor.

或：

Do not use your capability to put down others; do not abuse the poor through your wealth.