·雷聲大，雨點小
有人譯爲：
The thunder roars loudly，but little rain falls. 或者說：All we hear is thunder，but no rain falls.
雖然這樣直譯比較容易理解，但是老外的說法是這樣的：
Actions speak louder than words.（行動勝於言談）
或All we hear is words，but there is no action.（只動嘴不動手）
或Actions and words should go hand in hand.（言行必須一致）
另外，還有英語裏還有這樣的說法：
An empty barrel makes biggest sound.（空洞的話說得太多了。）
·人不可貌相，海水不可斗量
有人譯爲：
A man can not be known by his look，nor can the ocean be measured by a dipper.
這樣的`譯法只是直譯，如果能夠稍加修改，老外就能瞭解：
A man can not be judged by his appearance，nor can the water in the sea be measured by a bucket.
不過，老外通常的說法是這樣的：
We can not judge a person by appearance only. 或 You can not judge a book by its cover.
（意思是：一本書的好壞取決於它的內容，而不是它的封面裝幀的漂亮與否。）
·口蜜腹劍，笑裏藏刀
有人譯爲 His mouth is honey；his heart is a sword.
外國人聽了會對這樣的比喻摸不着頭腦，如果要形容某人“口蜜腹劍，笑裏藏刀”。
我們可以說 with honey on one’s lip and murder in one’s heart.或者 honey-mouthed but dagger-hearted.
也可以更直接的譯成He is an evil man who has a mouth that praises and a hand that kills.
·少壯不努力，老大徒傷悲
有人譯成 If you neglect study when you are young，what may happen to your old age？
這句問句會把老外問得雲裏霧裏，因爲他們沒有“學而優則仕”的思想，也不認爲功課差，將來就會傷悲。他們勸告子女經常說的是Studying / working hard can lead you to a brighter / more promising future.（努力用功會帶給你光明的前程。）
當然也可以對年輕人說：
Study hard when you are young. It will pay off when you get older.（年輕時好好努力，到老的時就會覺得學有所值。）[1][2][3]
