Home / Chinese Wisdom Cards / 逢人只说三分话,不可全抛一片心
Social Rules Interesting

逢人只说三分话,不可全抛一片心

féng rén zhǐ shuō sān fēn huà, bù kě quán pāo yī piàn xīn
Never show your full hand.

When meeting people, only speak three-tenths; you must not throw out your whole heart.

This variant emphasizes the prohibition: you absolutely must...

This variant emphasizes the prohibition: you absolutely must not reveal your innermost thoughts to others. It is a firm warning about the dangers of being too trusting.

This version is often used in more serious contexts, such as when someone has been betrayed or taken advantage of. It serves as a hard lesson learned from experience.

Someone might say this when a friend is heartbroken after sharing too much with someone who turned out to be untrustworthy.

The saying is a cautionary tale that highlights the risks of emotional vulnerability. It signals that in a competitive world, guarding your heart is essential for survival.

#caution #human-nature #social-rules

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