About this Book

 As R. W. Emerson says, by necessity, by proclivity, and by delight, we all  quote. As B. Disraeli says, the wisdom of the wise and the experience of the
 ages are perpetuated by quotations. Confucius and Lao-tzu are famous  philosophers in ancient China, who still have a great influence over modern
 Chinese. Besides, many Chinese proverbs and idioms also keep swaying  modern Chinese. A lot of Western proverbs and quotations also make a dent  in modern Chinese. One of the main purposes of my book is to promote the
 understanding between the East and the West. My book consists of hundreds
 Chinese and Western quotations and proverbs, which are witty, inspirational,
 self-improving, or humorous. As the Talmud says, a quotation at the right
 moment is like bread to the famished. G. B. Shaw says, " I often quote myself.
 It adds spice to my conversation." As R. W. Emerson says, conversation is an
 art in which a man has all mankind for competitors. Pierre de Beaumarchais
 says, " It isn't necessary to understand things in order to argue about them. 
 Everyone has got a right to say or do whatever he or she prefers, which could 
 honor or humiliate him or her, you know. Life is changeable. Don't grieve for 
 the past. Learn from the past and improve. Don't fear the future. Challenging
 the present problems, you'll have a sweet memory and make a better prepara-
 tion for the future. My book also shows the pronunciations of pinyin Chinese.
 The complete title of my book is " A WINTER-BORN SHEEP BLEATING
 IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA" because I was born in 1943, named  "yang2 nian2" meaning the "year of sheep" according to Chinese zodiac. In
 Southern California, a remarkably multicultural area where I've lived for more
 than 30 years, the grass flourishes in rainy winter. As F. Allen says, California
 is a fine place to live in--if you happen to be an orange.