Home / Chinese Wisdom Cards / 人不可得意忘形
Character Easy

人不可得意忘形

rén bù kě dé yì wàng xíng
Don't let success go to your head.

Person cannot be so pleased as to forget their form/shape.

One should not become arrogant or lose their composure when ...

One should not become arrogant or lose their composure when things go well. It's a warning against hubris and a reminder to stay humble and grounded even in times of success.

This is a core value in Chinese culture, where humility is seen as a virtue and arrogance as a character flaw that invites disaster. It's often taught to young people as a life lesson.

Someone might say this to a friend who just got a promotion and is starting to act superior, or as a self-reminder after a personal achievement.

It serves as a social leveler, keeping people from becoming insufferable when they succeed. It also reflects a belief that overconfidence leads to mistakes and downfall, so maintaining a balanced demeanor is wise.

#humility #wisdom #caution #success

Discover More Chinese Sayings

Draw random cards from hundreds of real Chinese folk sayings and proverbs. Each flip reveals what Chinese people actually mean.

🎴 Play Chinese Wisdom Cards