Hé shēn, shuǐliú jìng; xī qiǎn, shuǐ shēng xuān.

河深水流靜, 溪淺水聲喧。

Lit [If the] river is deep, the water flows quietly; [if the] stream is shallow, the water sounds noisy.

Fig People of great knowledge are usually modest and quiet, whereas people of little knowledge often do a lot of empty talking or boasting.

Note [See also gǔ kōng, shēng gāo above and kōng guànzi and zhěng píng bù yáo below.]

Topics BOASTING BRAGGING KNOWLEDGE MODESTY