Guanxi: The China Letter now includes an introduction to Chinese proverbs relevant to the issue’s theme in a regular feature written by Beijing-based journalist Frank (Anhui) YU. We include this because learning proverbs is an ideal way to start to understand Chinese culture and connect with Chinese colleagues. In the forthcoming September issue on “Social Networking,” Frank introduces proverbs with roots in social networking in ancient China, and still widely used in today’s conversation and speech. I’m including a section from the article here so you can see what rich material this is–just click below.

And I have to mention a wonderful idiom Liz Steffey passed along the other day: 揠 苗 助 压 (yà miáo zhù yā). It translates as “pulling up seedlings to help them grow.” This refers to how things get spoiled if one is over anxious for results and denies the laws of nature. I laughed, thinking of the many ways we do this, from not giving food enough time to develop a full flavor to rushing children through their childhood, running them from place to place and organizing their playtime, instead of giving them a chance to develop their own games and rituals and stories.

I’m excited to say that I’ll meet Frank for the first time in another day or two–I’m writing this from Narita Airport, en route to Beijing.

“Is it not a great joy to have friends coming from afar?”

YU Anhuai (Frank YU)

In this issue, I’d like to introduce several proverbs with roots in social networking in ancient China. These are still widely used in today’s conversation and speech.

1. 有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？ (It is a yànyŭ, a popular folk saying.)
Transliteration (pinyin): yǒu péng zì yuǎn fāng lái, bú yì lè hū
Meaning: Is it not a great joy to have friends coming from afar?
Annotation:
有(yǒu): to have
朋(péng): friend
自(zì): from
远方(yuǎn fāng): far away; afar
来(lái): to come
不(bú): not
乐(lè): delightful; joyful
Origin: This proverb came from the philosopher Confucius (551–479 BCE), one of the greatest influences in Chinese intellectual history.
Usage: This proverb is always used to express the idea of welcome.
Examples:
有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？欢迎各位到北京考察投资，观光旅游！(yǒu péng zì yuǎn fāng lái, bú yì lè hū Huān yíng gè wèi dào běi jīng kǎo chá tóu zī, guān guāng lǔ yóu: Is it not a great joy to have friends coming from afar? Welcome to Beijing! We encourage you to explore, sightsee, and invest!)
有朋自远方来，不亦乐乎？谢谢大家来参加我公司的周年庆典。(yǒu péng zì yuǎn fāng lái, bú yì lè hū? xiè xiè dà jiā lái cān jiā wǒ gōng sī de zhōu niān qìng diǎn: Is it not a great joy to have friends coming from afar? Welcome to my company’s anniversary ceremony!)

2. 一个篱笆三个桩， 一个好汉三个帮(It is a yànyŭ.)
Transliteration (pinyin): yī gè lí ba sān gè zhuāng, yī gè hǎo hàn sān gè bāng
Meaning: (Just as) a fence needs three stakes to make it firm, a good man needs three others to help him.
Annotation:
一个(yī gè) one
篱笆(lí ba) fence made of bamboo or branches
三个(sān gè) three
桩(zhuāng) stake
好汉(hǎo hàn) good man; able man; hero
帮(bāng) to help; to assist
Usage: This proverb indicates that however capable one is, the support of others is still very important for one’s success.
Examples:
总裁先生，中国有一句谚语，“一个篱笆三个桩，一个好汉三个帮”。贵公司要想在中国很好地发展，一定要跟中国的合作伙伴搞好关系。(zǒng cái xiān shēng, zhōng gúo yǒu yī jù yàn yù, yī gè lí ba sān gè zhuàng, yī gè hǎo hàn sān gè bāng, gùi gōng sī yào xiǎng zài zhōng gúo hěn hǎo de fā zhǎn, yī dìng yào gēn zhōng gúo de hé zùo hǔo bàn gǎo hǎo guānxì: Mr. President, there is a popular saying in China: “Just as a fence needs three stakes to make it firm, a good man needs others to help him.” If your company wants to flourish in China, you should develop good relationships—guānxì—with friendly businesses in China.)
一个篱笆三个桩，一个好汉三个帮。我觉得你应该接受好友的帮助。(yī gè lí ba sān gè zhuàng, yī gè hǎo hàn sān gè bāng, wǒ ju de nǐ yìng gāi jiē shùu hǎo yǒu de bāng zhù: Just as a fence needs three stakes to make it firm, a good man needs three others to help him. I think you should accept the help of your best friends.)