Home / Chinese Wisdom Cards / 吃水不忘挖井人
Gratitude Easy

吃水不忘挖井人

chī shuǐ bù wàng wā jǐng rén
Don't forget the one who dug the well when you drink the water.

When drinking water, don't forget the person who dug the well.

This saying teaches gratitude and remembrance of those who m...

This saying teaches gratitude and remembrance of those who made your current comfort possible. It's a reminder that your blessings come from the labor and sacrifice of others, and you should honor and repay that debt of gratitude.

This saying is often associated with revolutionary history in China, specifically referring to Chairman Mao and the Communist Party, but it has general application. It's a core value in Chinese culture: 感恩 (gǎn ēn), or gratitude, is a fundamental virtue.

Someone might say this when a successful person forgets their humble origins, or when a young person takes for granted the opportunities their parents or teachers provided.

This saying reinforces the social bond of reciprocity. It signals that the speaker values loyalty and gratitude, and it serves as a moral reminder that success is never purely individual — it's built on the foundations laid by others.

#gratitude #family #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