Huà chū yuānjia kǒu; lì chū yǒu biāo niú.

話出冤家口, 力出有膘牛。

Lit [Critical] words come from the mouths of those who love [one], [just as] strength comes from oxen [which] are fat.

Fig (Only) those who have one's best interests at heart will (take the trouble to) criticize one.

Note [Rhyme; note: yuānjia (lit) “rival” is also a term of affection used to mean “lover,” “sweetheart,” and is often used to refer to one's spouse or child.]

Topics CRITICISM LOVE rhyme SPOUSE yuānjia