音实难知，知实难逢
Music is difficult to appreciate; a critic who knows how to appreciate things is hard to find.
This proverb is frequently used to mean that an understanding friend is difficult to come by.

 

乐行而志清，礼修而行成
When music is performed, the inner mind becomes pure; and when manners are cultivated, conduct is perfected.
The proverb comes from Xuncius’ opinions on music. It indicates that the spread of music and manners can exert a subtle influence on people’s character and actions.

 

声色者，败德之举；思虑者，戕身之本
Sensual pleasure for music and beauty are destructive to virtue; anxious thoughts and apprehensions are injurious to the body.
The proverb highlights how both indulgence and anxiety can damage a person.

 

声无取猜，誉无致疑
Reputation cannot be doubted, and honor cannot be suspected.
The proverb means that after winning fame one should be cautious and worthy of their name.

 

声无小而不闻，行无隐而不形
There is no sound so faint that it cannot be heard, and no action so concealed that it is not visible.
The proverb is excerpted from Xuncius’ Exhortation to Learning, which stresses that good deeds done at every moment will be heard in the end.

 

雷声大，雨点小
It thunders loudly, but rains very little.
The proverb refers to instances when the rhetoric is very bold but the actual actions are far weaker.

 

雷公先唱歌，有雨也不多
When the thunder god sings his song, even if it rains, it’s not for long.
This is an ancient agricultural proverb. It suggests that the clouds that produce thunder don’t actually create a lot of rain.