Yé yǒu, niáng yǒu, yě yào kāikǒu.

爺有, 娘有, 也要開口。

Lit [Even if your own] father and mother have [what you want], [you] still have to open [your] mouth [to ask for it].

Fig If you need something, it's better to own it yourself. “(Mama may have, Papa may have, but) God bless the child that's got his own.”

Note [Rhyme.]

Topics CUNNING INDEPENDENCE rhyme