“树倒猢狲散。/ 樹倒猢猻散。When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.”
Author: Decode Mandarin Chinese
A double-edged sword
“水能载舟，亦能覆舟。Not only can water float a boat, it can sink it also.”
When the cat is away, the mice will play
“天高皇帝远。/ 天高皇帝遠。The sky is big and the emperor is far away.”
A burnt child dreads the fire; Once bitten, twice shy
“一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井绳。/ 一朝被蛇咬，十年怕井繩。One bitten by a snake for a snap dreads a rope for a decade.”
Heaven helps those who help themselves
“自助者天助。When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition. ”