9 ancient Chinese sayings to help grow your money

Chinese culture has thousands of years of wisdom preserved in proverbs, idioms, and classical texts. While many were not written with money in mind, their lessons about patience, foresight, and discipline apply surprisingly well to personal finance today.

Below are 9 classical Chinese sayings, each with their historical context, meaning, and practical lessons for your finances.

1. 未雨绸缪 (wèi yǔ chóu móu) — “Repair the roof before it rains”

Main lesson:

Prepare for trouble before it occurs. Anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate.

History and Origin:

This idiom traces back to Han dynasty texts, often cited in discussions of prudence and risk management. The literal advice was practical: secure your home against seasonal storms. Over time, it became metaphorical for foresight, emphasising proactive preparation in personal, social, and political contexts. Scholars often highlight this phrase as an example of strategic thinking in early Chinese literature, where planning ahead was valued over reactive responses.

Financial lesson:

• In finance, this proverb teaches risk management and preparation. Waiting until a crisis arises, whether a medical emergency, sudden unemployment, or a market crash, is far costlier than proactive planning.
• Building an emergency fund, securing insurance, and planning for retirement are all modern applications.

Practical tips:

• Maintain at least 6 to 12 months of living expenses in liquid savings.
• Regularly review insurance coverage (life, health, critical illness) to ensure adequate protection.
• Consider contingency plans for career disruptions or market volatility.

2. 吃得苦中苦，方为人上人 (chī dé kǔ zhōng kǔ, fāng wéi rén shàng rén) — “Only by enduring the bitterest hardship can one rise above others”

Main lesson:

Endure the hardest struggles to achieve greatness. Success comes from resilience, perseverance, and delayed gratification.

History and Origin:

Popularised during the Ming and Qing dynasties, this proverb draws on Confucian and Buddhist ideals.

Classical literature often emphasised the value of hard work, frugality, and moral discipline. It was used to motivate students, officials, and merchants to endure temporary difficulties for long-term rewards.

Its cultural significance lies in encouraging mental fortitude and strategic endurance, values that are still admired in Chinese society today.

Financial lessons:

• Success often requires short-term sacrifice: living below your means, investing early, and resisting impulsive consumption.
• Hard work in your career, disciplined investing, and financial literacy now pays off decades later.

Practical tips:

• Make regular CPF contributions and top-ups even if budgets are tight.
• Start investing small amounts in diversified funds; consistent effort compounds over time.
• Consider delayed gratification strategies, such as prioritising long-term financial goals over immediate luxuries.

3. 千里之行，始于足下 (qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià) — “A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one’s feet”

Main lesson:

Ambitious goals are achieved through consistent small actions.

History and Origin:
This proverb originates from Laozi’s Dao De Jing (Chapter 64), written around the 6th–5th century BCE. It illustrates Daoist thought: emphasising simplicity, patience, and steady progress.

Early texts often encouraged rulers, scholars, and ordinary people to focus on manageable, deliberate actions rather than overwhelming themselves with lofty ambitions.

Financial lesson:

• Start small with savings, budgeting, or investments.
• Large financial objectives, like retirement, property, wealth accumulation, require incremental steps, not immediate perfection.

Practical tips:

• Automate monthly savings or investment contributions.
• Break goals into achievable milestones to maintain motivation.
• Track progress regularly to reinforce discipline.

4. 居安思危 (jū ān sī wēi) — “Be vigilant in times of peace”

Main lesson:

Anticipate danger while in comfort. Prepare for risks even when life seems stable.

History and Origin:

From Zuo Zhuan (Zhuang Dynasty, 6th–5th century BCE), this proverb advised leaders to remain cautious during peaceful times. The underlying principle is preventive thinking: stability can breed complacency, and failing to prepare can turn minor issues into crises.

Chinese scholars frequently cited it in governance, business, and personal planning, emphasizing foresight and strategic thinking.

Financial lessons:

• Financial security is not guaranteed; plan ahead for downturns or emergencies.
• Diversify investments, maintain insurance, and review retirement plans even during prosperity.

Practical tips:

• Rebalance your investment portfolio periodically.
• Maintain emergency liquidity.
• Anticipate potential career or market risks and create mitigation strategies.

5. 饮水思源 (yǐn shuǐ sī yuán) — “When drinking water, think of its source”

Main lesson:

Remember the origin of the things you benefit from. Be grateful, mindful, and responsible.

History and Origin:
Tracing back to Han dynasty poetry, the proverb encourages gratitude and ethical awareness.

Early scholars and poets used it to teach students moral responsibility and mindfulness, emphasising that one should acknowledge support and foundational sources rather than taking benefits for granted.

Financial lessons:

• Recognise that wealth is built on effort, opportunity, and sometimes familial or societal support.
• Financial stewardship is as important as accumulation. How you manage resources reflects your values.

Practical tips:

• Properly assign beneficiaries for CPF, insurance, and investments.
• Consider charitable contributions or supporting family members as part of wealth management.

6. 树欲静而风不止，子欲养而亲不待 (shù yù jìng ér fēng bù zhǐ, zǐ yù yǎng ér qīn bù dài) — “The tree wishes for calm, but the wind will not stop; the child wishes to care for his parents, but they are no longer there”

Main lesson:

Time and circumstances wait for no one. Delaying important actions can lead to regret.

History and Origin:

From Han dynasty literature, this proverb underscores filial piety, a central value in Chinese culture. It was often cited to remind children to act promptly in caring for their parents, emphasising the unpredictability of life and the necessity of timely action.

Financial lessons:

• Delayed financial planning can have irreversible consequences.
• Wills, insurance, and retirement contributions cannot be applied retroactively.

Practical tips:

• Start estate planning and insurance early.
• Regularly review retirement and legacy plans to ensure loved ones are protected.
• Avoid procrastination: action today prevents regret tomorrow.

7. 杀鸡取卵 (shā jī qǔ luǎn) — “Kill the chicken to get the eggs”

Main lesson:  

Do not sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term gain. Shortsighted actions can lead to lost opportunities.

History and Origin:

A Han dynasty fable illustrates a farmer who kills a hen to get immediate meat, losing the future eggs it would produce. It became a proverb warning against shortsightedness in governance, business, and personal conduct.

Financial lesson:

• Avoid liquidating long-term assets for temporary relief.
• Protect income-generating assets and investments to ensure sustainable wealth creation.

Practical tips:

• Preserve investments for compounding growth rather than instant cash-outs.
• Think long-term in career and income strategies.

8. 水能载舟，亦能覆舟 (shuǐ néng zài zhōu, yì néng fù zhōu) — “Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it”

Main lesson:

Resources or power can both support and destroy. The same forces that help you succeed can harm you if mismanaged.

History and Origin:

Attributed to Tang dynasty Emperor Taizong (7th century), the saying originally referred to the people’s power over rulers. Later it became a broader metaphor: wealth, influence, and natural forces can be constructive or destructive depending on use.

Financial lessons:

• Money is a tool; disciplined use supports goals, while mismanagement can cause ruin.
• Overspending, debt, and speculative behaviour can overturn financial stability.

Practical tips:

• Live within means, manage debt carefully, and invest prudently.
• Treat money as a resource to achieve goals, not as an end in itself.

9. 塞翁失马，焉知非福 (sàiwēng shī mǎ, yān zhī fēi fú) — “The old man lost his horse; who knows it isn’t a blessing?”

Main lesson:

Life events are unpredictable; apparent setbacks may have hidden benefits.

History and Origin:
From the Huainanzi (Han dynasty), this parable tells of an old man whose horse runs away but later returns with more horses. His son then suffers a minor injury that spares him from military conscription.

This story illustrates Daoist thought on the fluidity of fortune and the unpredictability of events.

Financial lessons:

• Market downturns, business setbacks, or unexpected expenses can present long-term opportunities.
• Maintain perspective and avoid panic; fortune and misfortune can transform.

Practical tip:

• Treat investment losses or temporary career setbacks as potential opportunities to reassess and improve.
• Diversify portfolios to manage risk and take advantage of unexpected openings.

Conclusion

These 9 proverbs provide timeless financial wisdom: anticipate risks, start small, endure hardship, respect resources, and act promptly.

They remind us that financial success is not just about accumulation, but discipline, foresight, and perspective.