Yī píngzi bù xiǎng; bàn píngzi huàngdang.

一瓶子不響, 半瓶子晃蕩。

Lit A [full] bottle makes no sound [and a] half [full] bottle makes the most sound.

Fig The dabbler chatters away, while the wise remain silent. One who knows least boasts most. “Empty vessels make the greatest sound.”

Note [Rhyme; a line from a Tang dynasty poem by Cao Song entitled “Jǐ Hài Suì.”]

Topics BRAGGING Cao Song Jǐ Hài Suì KNOWLEDGE SILENCE TALK Tang dynasty WISDOM