Chinese Proverb of the day: ‘The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it’

At its core, the proverb encourages people to focus more on effort than on criticism. It suggests that those actively working towards a goal understand the journey better than those watching from the sidelines.

Livemint
Updated17 May 2026, 04:43 PM IST
Chinese Proverb of the day.
Chinese Proverb of the day.(Pexels)

“The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it.”

This well-known Chinese proverb continues to inspire people across generations with its simple but powerful message about determination, confidence and action.

The saying highlights a situation many people face in daily life — being discouraged by others while trying to achieve something difficult or unusual. Whether in business, education, sports or personal life, people are often told that their goals are impossible. The proverb reminds individuals not to let negativity stop them from trying.

Also Read | Japanese Proverb of the Day: ‘Wake from death and turn to life’

A message about belief and action

At its core, the proverb encourages people to focus more on effort than on criticism. It suggests that those actively working towards a goal understand the journey better than those watching from the sidelines.

In modern society, many successful ideas were once dismissed as unrealistic. Entrepreneurs, scientists, athletes and artists frequently faced doubt before eventually proving critics wrong. The quote reflects the importance of persistence, especially during moments when support is limited.

Also Read | Japanese Proverb of the Day: ‘Not Knowing Is Buddha’; meaning, business lesson

The proverb also carries a practical lesson. People who constantly predict failure may discourage innovation and creativity. By contrast, those willing to take risks and work hard often create change and inspire others.

Relevance in everyday life

The message is especially meaningful for students and young professionals who often deal with pressure, comparison and fear of failure. Social media has increased public judgement, making many people hesitant to try new things or express original ideas.

Experts often say that self-confidence plays a major role in success. While criticism can sometimes be useful, excessive negativity may damage motivation. The proverb encourages people to keep going instead of seeking approval from everyone around them.

It also serves as a reminder to avoid discouraging others unnecessarily. Constructive advice can help people improve, but constant doubt can become an obstacle.

Also Read | Japanese Proverb of the day: ‘Dumplings over flowers’

Why the proverb still matters today

Although the saying is believed to have ancient origins, its message remains highly relevant in modern life. Around the world, people continue to share the quote online as motivation during difficult times.

Its popularity lies in its direct and relatable nature. Most people have experienced moments when others questioned their abilities or ambitions. The proverb encourages resilience and reminds individuals that progress often comes from those willing to act despite criticism.

In a fast-changing world filled with competition and uncertainty, the message remains clear: people should spend less time doubting possibilities and more time working towards them.

About the Author

For about a decade, Livemint—News Desk has been a credible source for authentic and timely news, and well-researched analysis on national news, business, personal finance, corporates, politics and geopolitics. We bring the latest updates on all the listed companies on BSE and NSE, startups, mutual funds, Union ministries, geopolitics, and untapped human interest stories from around the world, helping our readers to stay informed on the latest developments around the globe. Our Coverage Areas 1. Companies: Comprehensive news and analysis on listed and unlisted companies, corporate announcements, corporate chatter, C-suite, business trends, hiring alerts, layoffs, work-life balance, world's top billionaires and richest and more. 2. Personal finance: Insights into mutual funds, small savings schemes like - PPF, SSY, post office savings scheme, stock to watch, personal loans, credit cards, top bank FDs, real estate, income tax and more. 3. Politics: Comprehensive coverage of general elections, state elections and bypolls, Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, Parliament, PMO, PIB, finance ministry, home ministry, among other union ministries and government departments. 4. National News: From metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and e to untapped stories from rural India, we cover human interest, health, education, crime and courts, and law and order, among other areas of public interest. 5. Economy: In-depth analysis of India's macro and micro-economic indicators like- GDP, inflation, forex, fiscal deficit, current account deficit, interest rate cycle, economic recovery, RBI circulars, indirect taxes, GST, Insolvency and Bankruptcy imports, exports and everything that impacts Indian economy. 6. Geopolitics: Well-rounded and deeply researched coverage on US News, Oval Office European Union, Ukraine Russia War, middle-east crisis, royal families and global leaders like - Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Xi Jinping and premiers of other leading economies in the world. Meet the Team 1. Gulam Jeelani, Political Affairs Editor 2. Sugam Singhal, Senior Assistant Editor 3. Chanchal, Assistant Editor 4. Sanchari Ghosh, Chief Content Producer 5. Pratik Prashant Mukane, Chief Content Producer 6. Sayantani Biswas, Chief Content Producer 7. Ravi Hari, Deputy Chief Content Producer 8. Garvit Bhirani, Deputy Chief Content Producer 9. Akriti Anand, Senior Content Producer 10. Jocelyn Felix Fernandes, Senior Content Producer 11. Swastika Das Sharma, Content Producer 12. Mausam Jha, Content Producer 13. Riya R Alex, Trainee Content Producer

Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and US news.

HomeNewsUs NewsChinese Proverb of the day: ‘The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person doing it’
More