Chinese equivalent of an English saying
What is the Chinese equivalent of “Think before you speak”?
If you know the English saying "Think before you speak", this page shows nearby Chinese wisdom with similar meaning. The comparisons are conceptual, not claims of shared origin, and they are useful for writers, teachers, students, speakers, and cross-cultural readers.
Quick answer: The pages below are the nearest Chinese wisdom matches for the English idea “Think before you speak”.
Closest or Most Useful Matches
子贡问曰，有一言，而可以终身行之者乎。 Meaning in English子贡问曰，有一言，而可以终身行之者乎。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，不有祝𬶍之佞，而有宋朝之美，难乎免于今之世矣。 Meaning in English子曰，不有祝𬶍之佞，而有宋朝之美，难乎免于今之世矣。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
曰，文王既没，文不在兹乎。 Meaning in English曰，文王既没，文不在兹乎。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子贡曰贫，而无谄，富而无骄，何如。 Meaning in English子贡曰贫，而无谄，富而无骄，何如。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子谓子贡曰，女与回也，孰愈。 Meaning in English子谓子贡曰，女与回也，孰愈。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，先之，劳之。 Meaning in English子曰，先之，劳之。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，不曰如之何，如之何者，吾末如之何也已矣。 Meaning in English子曰，不曰如之何，如之何者，吾末如之何也已矣。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
宰我问，三年之丧期已久矣。 Meaning in English宰我问，三年之丧期已久矣。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
Related but Not Exact
子曰，甚矣吾衰也，久矣，吾不复梦见周公。 Meaning in English子曰，甚矣吾衰也，久矣，吾不复梦见周公。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子击磬于卫，有荷蒉，而过孔氏之门者，曰，有心哉，击磬乎。 Meaning in English子击磬于卫，有荷蒉，而过孔氏之门者，曰，有心哉，击磬乎。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，片言可以折狱者，其由也与。 Meaning in English子曰，片言可以折狱者，其由也与。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，兴于诗。 Meaning in English子曰，兴于诗。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，回也，非助我者也，于吾言，无所不说。 Meaning in English子曰，回也，非助我者也，于吾言，无所不说。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
叶公问孔子于子路，子路不对。 Meaning in English叶公问孔子于子路，子路不对。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
李子然问仲由冉求，可谓大臣与。 Meaning in English李子然问仲由冉求，可谓大臣与。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子夏问曰，巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮，素以为绚兮。 Meaning in English子夏问曰，巧笑倩兮，美目盼兮，素以为绚兮。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
Broader Context Pages
子曰，苗而不秀者，有矣夫，秀而不实者，有矣夫。 Meaning in English子曰，苗而不秀者，有矣夫，秀而不实者，有矣夫。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，众恶之，必察焉，众好之，必察焉。 Meaning in English子曰，众恶之，必察焉，众好之，必察焉。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，奢则不孙，俭则固，与其不孙也，宁固。 Meaning in English子曰，奢则不孙，俭则固，与其不孙也，宁固。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，以约，失之者鲜矣。 Meaning in English子曰，以约，失之者鲜矣。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
孔子于乡党，恂恂如也，似不能言者。 Meaning in English孔子于乡党，恂恂如也，似不能言者。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，过而不改，是谓过矣。 Meaning in English子曰，过而不改，是谓过矣。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
子曰，觚不觚，觚哉觚哉。 Meaning in English子曰，觚不觚，觚哉觚哉。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
齐景公待孔子，曰，若李氏，则吾不能，以李孟之闲待之。 Meaning in English齐景公待孔子，曰，若李氏，则吾不能，以李孟之闲待之。: Chinese quote by Confucius, with pinyin, source confidence, English meaning, Western equivalent, and practical use.
Common Mistake and Safe Use
Use these links as conceptual bridges, not as proof that the English proverb and the Chinese saying have the same source. If you need academic or speech use, open the source-backed pages first and cite the original Chinese text.
Related Modern Tags
Questions People Ask
Is this the exact Chinese translation of “Think before you speak”?
No. It is a conceptual equivalent or nearby idea. The page links Chinese sayings and classical quotes that English readers can understand through this familiar phrase.
Can I use these comparisons in writing?
Yes. Use them as explanatory comparisons and cite the original Chinese source when a page lists one.