Old Wisdom, New Insights

This podcast provides you with inspirational ancient wisdom that still applies today. We share stories of our ancestors and explain in-depth the meanings behind those savvy and motivating quotes. We dig deep so that you'll know exactly how to use it! Let the old wisdom guide your way!

Last refreshed: July 16th, 2025 at 6:40 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

The ocean is big thanks to all the rivers flowing in

There is great value and strength in diversity. You can’t have a beautiful garden with only one variety of plant, just like you can’t paint a wonderful picture with just one color. Most amazing beings on earth are great because of their inclusion. Niuniu shares a Chinese saying that describes this idea with a metaphor, 河海不择细流，故能就其深. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/...

May 10, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 10

Be friend with the nature

The human race once believed that we are and should be the master of nature and can take whatever we want from the planet. However, it turned out that by doing so we caused so much damage that Mother Earth fought back, and we suffered. What’s the right way to coexist with nature? This Chinese saying might give you the answer, 万物各得其和以生，各得其养以成. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.yo...

May 08, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 9

Love your neighbors

Chinese people say, “better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away”(远亲不如近邻). It illustrates how much we value the relationships we have with people living near us. Everyone wins when neighbors treat one another with kindness, consideration, and respect. There’s another major advantage, but you’ll have to watch the video to find out. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.c...

May 06, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 8

Time and tide wait for no man

“Work hard, play hard” is a familiar motto for many people, but working hard is certainly more challenging than playing hard. If you want to motivate yourself, here’s a Chinese saying that can give you a nudge, 青春虚度无所成，白首衔悲亦何及. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/cribeyondbeijing/

May 04, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 7

Sail in the same boat

Have you ever cooperated with an adversary because you faced mutual challenges together? Niuniu has, and they ended up becoming good friends afterward. She’s now sharing what she learned from this experience with an old Chinese saying, 同舟共济，守望相助. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/cribeyondbeijing/...

May 02, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 6

Match the medicine to the disease

In life, we all need to learn how to find effective solutions to complex problems. The hardest step is identifying the root cause and applies the best solution. Niuniu shares the elegant metaphor “对症下药”, which means to match the medicine to the disease. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/cgtnradio...

Apr 30, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Lead by example

Imagine a chain composed of heavy metal links. If you wish to move the chain, you won’t “push it,” since the links might hit one another, clinking left and right without moving forward. Each link represents an individual member as part of a team. It requires a leader to show the way and pull the chain, which is why Chinese people say, 人不率则不从，身不先则不信. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https:/...

Apr 28, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 4

There is strength in numbers

Chinese people believe in the power of collective effort. We enjoy a good superhero story, but we also believe that even Superman needs a team like the Justice League. Niuniu talks about her favorite saying related to this idea: 众人拾柴火焰高. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/cgtnradio

Apr 26, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 3

Every rose has its thorn

It’s said that “he who wants a rose must respect the thorn,” which tells us that even the best situations have their downsides. There’s a Chinese equivalent, 甘瓜抱苦蒂，美枣生荆棘. Listen to the podcast to find out what it means. To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/cgtnradio

Apr 25, 2021•5 min•Season 1Ep. 2

Agree to disagree

Have you ever met somebody who is completely different to you but is still likeable? If you want to agree to disagree and still get along with them, here is a Chinese saying you can say, 日月不同光，昼夜各有宜！ To watch the videos: http://chinaplus.cri.cn/zt/Old-Wisdom-New-Insights-S1/index.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/crilearnchinese/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LearnChineseforfun/ Weibo: https://weibo.com/cgtnradio

Apr 24, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 1

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