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A classical Chinese line for “Do not care what people think”

These matches come from a curated corpus of real Chinese poetry and philosophy. The source line is fixed; the English wording is provided to make its meaning accessible.

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6 source-verified results
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

且举世誉之而不加劝，举世非之而不加沮。

Qiě jǔ shì yù zhī ér bù jiā quàn, jǔ shì fēi zhī ér bù jiā jǔ.

Close English reading

Praised by the whole world, he is not further encouraged; condemned by the whole world, he is not discouraged.

Plain meaningLet neither praise nor criticism control who you are.

Source
Zhuangzi· Warring States period · Free and Easy Wandering
Zhuangzi
Why it fitsIt describes an inner standard strong enough to survive both approval and rejection.
Original context and translation note
且举世誉之而不加劝，举世非之而不加沮。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

不以物喜，不以己悲。

Bù yǐ wù xǐ, bù yǐ jǐ bēi.

Close English reading

Do not rejoice because of external things, nor grieve because of personal loss.

Plain meaningKeep your balance through success and setback.

Source
Fan Zhongyan· Northern Song dynasty · Memorial to Yueyang Tower
Collected Works of Fan Zhongyan
Why it fitsIt describes emotional steadiness that is not controlled by possessions, status, or personal fortune.
Original context and translation note
予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者之为。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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过犹不及。

Guò yóu bù jí.

Close English reading

Going too far is no better than falling short.

Plain meaningExcess and deficiency can both miss the right measure.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 11: Xian Jin
The Analects
Why it fitsThis concise judgment is about proportion, not a claim that every dispute should be solved by choosing the numerical middle.
Original context and translation note
过犹不及。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

深林人不知，明月来相照。

Shēn lín rén bù zhī, míng yuè lái xiāng zhào.

Close English reading

No one knows me in the deep forest; the bright moon comes to shine upon me.

Plain meaningEven in solitude, the moon can feel like quiet company.

Source
Wang Wei· Tang dynasty · Bamboo Lodge
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe line gives companionship to moonlight without disturbing the stillness of being alone.
Original context and translation note
独坐幽篁里，弹琴复长啸。深林人不知，明月来相照。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。

Zhī zú bù rǔ, zhī zhǐ bù dài, kě yǐ cháng jiǔ.

Close English reading

Know contentment and avoid disgrace; know where to stop and avoid danger; then you can endure.

Plain meaningKnow what is enough and when to stop.

Source
Laozi· Spring and Autumn period · Tao Te Ching, Chapter 44
Tao Te Ching
Why it fitsContentment and restraint are presented as conditions for safety and endurance.
Original context and translation note
知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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春眠不觉晓，处处闻啼鸟。

Chūn mián bù jué xiǎo, chù chù wén tí niǎo.

Close English reading

Sleeping in spring, I do not notice dawn; everywhere I hear birds calling.

Plain meaningSpring arrives gently in light, sleep, and birdsong.

Source
Meng Haoran· Tang dynasty · Spring Dawn
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe poem notices spring through the body and the ear rather than through a grand announcement.
Original context and translation note
春眠不觉晓，处处闻啼鸟。夜来风雨声，花落知多少。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Translation note: The English readings are original explanatory translations for this product. They are designed for clarity and source verification, not presented as definitive literary translations.

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Inner peaceClassical Chinese lines about calm, simplicity, freedom from noise, and a mind not controlled by praise or blame.

Original Chinese line, pinyin, a readable English explanation, and a traceable source—without inventing an ancient quotation.

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A Classical Chinese Line for “Do not care what people think” | Gu Ren Said