镜明则尘埃不染，智明则邪恶不生
When the mirror is highly polished, the dust will not defile it; when the heart is enlightened with wisdom, licentious vices will not arise in it.
The proverb emphasizes that wisdom can enlighten and purify people’s hearts.

 

镜于水，见面之容；镜于人，则知吉与凶
When we use water as a mirror, we can only see our faces; when we use men as a mirror, we can learn about good luck and bad luck.
The proverb means that people can take lessons or warnings from others’ mistakes.

 

镜中花影波中月，假假真真辨不清
Like flowers in a mirror and the moon amid the waves, it’s sometimes not easy to tell the true from the false.
The proverb indicates that it’s difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is false.

 

瓶儿罐儿也有两个耳朵
Even jars and jugs have two ears.
The proverb means that whoever has ears must have heard the rumor or news.

 

满壶全不响，半壶响叮当
A full pot stays silent and a half empty pot chatters away.
The proverb indicates that foolish people make the most noise, but the wise men stay humble.

 

铜盆撞了铁扫帚，恶人自有恶人磨
A copper basin clashed with an iron broom; one villain was harassed by another.
The proverb suggests that an evil person is fated to be tormented by others of his ilk.

 

偷来的锣儿敲不得
A stolen gong is not to be beaten.
The proverb is commonly used to express the idea that people will not flaunt things they are ashamed of.