每一艘船都有个港湾
Every boat belongs to a harbor
The proverb emphasizes the significance of belonging to a person.

 

船多不碍港，车多不碍路
The sea is not worn by many ships, nor is a road impaired by many carts.
The proverb is commonly used to describe that when each keeps to his own place, there is room for all.

 

海不辞东流，大之至也
The sea does not reject the rivers that flow eastward into it, and so it is the greatest of the great.
The proverb metaphorically describes a person who has a magnanimous and tolerant mind.

 

海不让水潦，以成其大；山不让土石，以成其高
The sea does not reject rivers and floodwaters and so becomes great; a mountain does not reject dirt and stone and so becomes high.
The proverb means that open-mindedness and tolerance are important to people who aim high.

 

海不通于百川，安得巨大之名
Unless the ocean was connected with all the rivers, it could not be called immense.
The proverb indicates that one who aims high should welcome advice from all sides.

 

海内存知己，天涯若比邻
A bosom friend afar brings a distant land near.
The proverb emphasizes that distance cannot separate true friends. Their connection in their inner hearts makes them feel close even geographically far away.

 

海水不可斗量
The ocean cannot be measured with a scoop.
The proverb means that a great person cannot be judged by common standards.