1 Some Popular English Proverbs and their Comparable Equivalents in Chinese and Malay* Compiled by Ding Choo Ming Pan Hui ( 潘慧 ) (Nanning, China) & 谢昀 希 (Kunming, China) This is a list of some popular English proverbs and their comparable equivalents in Chinese proverbs (including 諺 語,yànyŭ, 成 語,chéngyŭ, 歇 後 語 , xiēhòuyŭ, 俗语 · 俗话 · 民谚 · 俗谚 and Malay proverbs (including simpulan bahasa, bidalan, pepatah and perumpamaan). Some of them are literary, i.e from written sources, while the others originated orally from families, street vendors, and other people from all walks of life in the respective societies. They are popular and frequently used, thus have withstood the test of time. They provide enriching and penetrating insights into English, Chinese and Malay cultures and thoughts in a very concentrated form. Though English, Chinese and Malay proverbs are different, it is interesting to compare them as they could highlight some interesting similarities and differences between English, Chinese and Malay people in their expression on many things. As it is, it is metaphors that constitute an important marker for many proverbs in many languages and makes them so appealing. Some of them can be interpreted literally, but not the others, which have metaphorical meanings. Take a look at them, arranged alphabetically by the first word in English proverbs in red, followed by Chinese and Malay proverbs in blue and black respectively. A A bad apple spoils the barrel. 害群之马, 一人为恶; 众人受累; 一颗老鼠屎 坯了一锅粥 . Seekor lembu membawa lumpur, semuanya terpalit.