Home / Chinese Wisdom Cards / 虎瘦雄心在,人穷志不短
Character Deep

虎瘦雄心在,人穷志不短

hǔ shòu xióng xīn zài, rén qióng zhì bù duǎn
A thin tiger still has its ambition; a poor person still has their pride.

A tiger, though thin, still has its grand ambition; a person, though poor, should not have short aspirations.

Poverty or physical weakness does not diminish one's inner s...

Poverty or physical weakness does not diminish one's inner strength or ambition. A person should maintain their dignity and goals even in difficult circumstances.

This saying combines two parallel metaphors — the tiger's natural majesty and human willpower. It reflects the Chinese virtue of perseverance and self-respect in the face of hardship.

Someone might say this to encourage a friend who is struggling financially but should not give up on their dreams or self-worth.

Chinese culture admires resilience and moral integrity over material wealth. This saying serves as a motivational reminder that external conditions do not define a person's worth, and that maintaining one's ambitions is a form of honor.

#hard-times #wisdom #character

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