Old Wisdom, New Insights

Old Wisdom, New Insights

This podcast provides you with inspirational ancient wisdom that still applies today. We share stories of our ancestors and explain in-depth the meanings behind those savvy and motivating quotes. We dig deep so that you'll know exactly how to use it! Let the old wisdom guide your way!

Episodes

Agree to disagree

April 24, 2021 • 4 mins
Have you ever met somebody who is completely different to you but is still likeable? If you want to agree to disagree and still get along with them, here is a Chinese saying you can say, 日月不同光，昼夜各有宜！ To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/cgtnradio
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Every rose has its thorn

April 25, 2021 • 4 mins
It’s said that “he who wants a rose must respect the thorn,” which tells us that even the best situations have their downsides. There’s a Chinese equivalent, 甘瓜抱苦蒂，美枣生荆棘. Listen to the podcast to find out what it means. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/...
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There is strength in numbers

April 26, 2021 • 4 mins
Chinese people believe in the power of collective effort. We enjoy a good superhero story, but we also believe that even Superman needs a team like the Justice League. Niuniu talks about her favorite saying related to this idea: 众人拾柴火焰高. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: h...
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Lead by example

April 28, 2021 • 4 mins
Imagine a chain composed of heavy metal links. If you wish to move the chain, you won’t “push it,” since the links might hit one another, clinking left and right without moving forward. Each link represents an individual member as part of a team. It requires a leader to show the way and pull the chain, which is why Chinese people say, 人不率则不从，身不先则不信. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index....
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Match the medicine to the disease

April 30, 2021 • 4 mins
In life, we all need to learn how to find effective solutions to complex problems. The hardest step is identifying the root cause and applies the best solution. Niuniu shares the elegant metaphor “对症下药”, which means to match the medicine to the disease. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChinese...
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Sail in the same boat

May 2, 2021 • 4 mins
Have you ever cooperated with an adversary because you faced mutual challenges together? Niuniu has, and they ended up becoming good friends afterward. She’s now sharing what she learned from this experience with an old Chinese saying, 同舟共济，守望相助. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ ...
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Time and tide wait for no man

May 4, 2021 • 4 mins
“Work hard, play hard” is a familiar motto for many people, but working hard is certainly more challenging than playing hard. If you want to motivate yourself, here’s a Chinese saying that can give you a nudge, 青春虚度无所成，白首衔悲亦何及. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://w...
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Love your neighbors

May 6, 2021 • 4 mins
Chinese people say, “better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away”(远亲不如近邻). It illustrates how much we value the relationships we have with people living near us. Everyone wins when neighbors treat one another with kindness, consideration, and respect. There’s another major advantage, but you’ll have to watch the video to find out. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: htt...
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Be friend with the nature

May 8, 2021 • 4 mins
The human race once believed that we are and should be the master of nature and can take whatever we want from the planet. However, it turned out that by doing so we caused so much damage that Mother Earth fought back, and we suffered. What’s the right way to coexist with nature? This Chinese saying might give you the answer, 万物各得其和以生，各得其养以成. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html F...
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The ocean is big thanks to all the rivers flowing in

May 10, 2021 • 4 mins
There is great value and strength in diversity. You can’t have a beautiful garden with only one variety of plant, just like you can’t paint a wonderful picture with just one color. Most amazing beings on earth are great because of their inclusion. Niuniu shares a Chinese saying that describes this idea with a metaphor, 河海不择细流，故能就其深. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://...
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Season 2 Promo

September 25, 2021 • 1 min
Coming soon — The second season of Old Wisdom New Insights. In this season, I'll continue to discuss classical Chinese sayings that are still relevant today. Each episode explains an ancient saying, word by word, and digs deep so that you'll know exactly what it means and what we can borrow from it. The hope is that you'll get inspired to think a bit more about what we have and will have experienced in our present life, using old...
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The first Chinese to open his eyes and see the world Part 1

September 30, 2021 • 9 mins
Wei Yuan, a famous thinker of China’s Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912), is regarded as one of the first to help Chinese people see and learn from the world. Our story begins with this man who embraced and helped disseminate advanced technologies and novel cultures. And of course, more importantly, he was a singularly fun person!
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The first Chinese to open his eyes and see the world Part 2

October 7, 2021 • 9 mins
“Saving for a rainy day” doesn't mean you have to adopt a doom-and-gloom, disaster-prepper's mentality. But being alert to danger in times of peace might help you recover more easily from your next bump in the road. Wei Yuan provides a pretty good way to express it in Chinese, 于安思危，于治忧乱. Listen to today's episode for more explanation!
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A significant master in Chinese history Part 1

October 14, 2021 • 9 mins
Zhu Xi was an influential neo-Confucian scholar, writer, and philosopher during China’s Song Dynasty. His contribution to Chinese culture is so significant that he is often referred to as "Zhuzi," meaning Master Zhu. And being a "Zi" is really a big deal in China! This episode explains how come Zhu Xi was a master worthy of the name!
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A significant master in Chinese history Part 2

October 21, 2021 • 7 mins
The saying "you're never too old to learn" emphasizes the importance of continuous learning. Now it's time to put that concept into elegant Chinese words, 问渠那得清如许，为有源头活水来。 Join Niuniu and learn about a poem that compares book reading to a glassy oblong pool.
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A significant master in Chinese history Part 3

October 28, 2021 • 9 mins
China has had a "people-centered philosophy" for a very long time. In prehistorical times, it was believed that a huge man named Pangu created the universe. It was also believed that a woman named Nvwa created humans. Later, different generations have expressed the idea that "people are the foundation of a country." For example, there's a saying "国以民为本，社稷亦为民而立," written by our friend Zhu Xi. Listen to the episode and find out more.
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The legendary Chinese detective Part 1

November 4, 2021 • 10 mins
To most Chinese people, Bao Zheng is no doubt the best detective in Chinese history. The man stars many legends and is widely favored by fiction writers from different generations. If you are a fan of crime stories, this is an episode that you should not miss!
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The legendary Chinese detective Part 2

November 11, 2021 • 10 mins
Now let's switch gear from fantasy to reality! There are many sayings about the role of laws and regulations in a society. Author Austin O'Malley said, "Law is the rudder of the ship of state." Aristotle said, "Law is order, and good law is good order." During China's Song Dynasty, our friend Bao Zheng also had a famous saying, which suggested that the law is there to help the government serve its people.
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China's first patriotic poet Part 1

November 18, 2021 • 9 mins
Qu Yuan was a famous patriotic poet in ancient China. If you enjoy dragon boat racing or have a good appetite for sticky rice dumplings, you have this man to thank for. But who exactly was Qu Yuan? What's so impressive about him? How come there’s a national holiday commemorating him? Let's enjoy Qu Yuan's life story in this episode.
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China's first patriotic poet Part 2

November 25, 2021 • 7 mins
Do you have a dream that you'd be willing to do anything to realize or a goal that you’d pursue regardless of the immense challenges and obstacles? If so, maybe you'll identify with this traditional saying "路漫漫其修远兮, 吾将上下而求索". Learn to use it in your daily conversation to show that you are truly determined!
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