English Recordings

Writing Chinese characters in front of Confucius.
Used to point out the arrogance of someone trying to teach or beat an expert in the field.
To teach a fish how to swim.

The straight, upright tree is the first to be cut down.
Used to lament the death of an intelligent, upright person.
The good die young.

A hospitalized patient is given methicillin for a suspected staphylococcal infection around a central line insertion site. Approximately one week after beginning treatment, the patient develops signs of acute renal failure, including an increased serum creatinine level. A urine sample shows microscopic hematuria and WBCs, but no bacteria. Methicillin is withdrawn and the patient's renal symptoms soon improve.

Entrust the cat with a fish.
Used to express your doubts about entrusting something to someone who could be easily tempted to abuse that trust.
Have the fox guard the henhouse.

At the end of hardship comes happiness.
Used to encourage someone to keep working hard and not give up.
Hard work brings success.

Worrying is your destiny.
Used to tease someone who worries about everything, including insignificant things.
A worrywart.

If diligent, even a beggar can get warm rice.
Used to say that diligence pays off.
Koreans used to, and many still do, get up early to make their rice for the day. If a beggar, with rice bowl in hand, starts begging early enough, he might be able to get some of this warm morning rice, but if he waits too long, the rice will cool down and, as a result, be less appetizing.
The early bird catches the worm.

They scatter like baby spiders.
Used to describe people, animals, or insects running away from something in all directions.
When hundreds of baby spiders hatch out of their egg sac, they do not hang around to introduce themselves, but scatter "in all directions" . It is interesting that Koreans say "spiders" and English-speakers say "flies."
They scatter like flies.

A dragon rises from a small stream.
Used to describe a great man with humble beginnings.
Oriental myths talk about dragons rising up from the depths of the sea, so it would be unexpected and quite amazing if one were to rise up from a shallow stream.
From rags to riches.

An ant hole can cause a levee to collapse.
Used to warn that even little things, if ignored, can cause disaster.
A little leak can sink a great ship.