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人在难处莫加言

rén zài nàn chù mò jiā yán
Don't add insult to injury.

When people are in difficulty, do not add words.

This means that when someone is already struggling or suffer...

This means that when someone is already struggling or suffering, you should not criticize, blame, or add pressure with your words. It advises compassion and restraint in speech during others' hard times.

This saying reflects the Confucian value of empathy (恕) and the importance of knowing when to speak and when to stay silent. It is part of broader Chinese etiquette around saving face.

Someone might say this when a colleague is already overwhelmed and another person starts criticizing their mistakes, or when a friend is going through a breakup and someone says 'I told you so.'

This saying promotes social harmony by reminding people that words can cause deep harm. It signals emotional intelligence and reinforces the cultural value of protecting others' dignity, especially in vulnerable moments.

#social-rules #compassion #friendship

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