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Editor's Note

Chinese yan-yu or sayings are set phrases of popular. They are earthy,
simple, lively and vivid, but at the same time express deep truths. They
often use concrete images from everyday life to express metaphorically the

underlying principles of human affairs and relationships. Vivid metaphors
and rhymes make them easy to pronounce and easy to remember. For this
reason they are widely used by people to express feelings on a particular
subject or support a particular viewpoint.

These sayings have grown out of the collective experience of the Chinese

race and reflect the wisdom, thought, attitudes and Weltanschauung of
Chinese people. They also reflect the development and evolution of
Chinese morals and social order. In addition, the study of Chinese sayings
can enhance one’s enjoyment of reading, raise his level of comprehension,
and improve his expressiveness in writing and speaking.

OCAC has had the good fortune of being able to enlist the service of
Professor C.K. Wang as editor of Chinese sayings. Professor Wang has
compiled a basic selection of most often used riddle-phrases and provided
clear, concise explanations for each.

Professor Wang obtained his doctoral degree from Cambridge University
and has read extensively in the field of Chinese folk literature. The

volumes of Chinese songs and Chinese Riddles which he edited for The
Overseas Chinese Library have been enthusiastically received abroad. We
feel that these volumes of Chinese sayings will be a valuable addition to
The Overseas Chinese Library Series.