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 [ VOICES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=375)

#  From Confucius to Confusion: Trump-Style Proverbs Go Viral

Written by CityWatch.

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2025/060b.jpg)

July 28 2025

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**抖音 -** Rumor has it this clever rewrite of Chinese proverbs surfaced in Stockholm, where Chinese negotiators are sparring with Trump’s team over a tariff truce extension. Did some TikTok-savvy intern really rebrand ancient wisdom with American swagger? Or is this sly satire straight from the trade talk buzz? Laughs guaranteed, authenticity not so much.

### Original vs. Trumpy Updates (Proverb Edition)

**A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step?**

Nah, it kicks off with a press conference and a luxury motorcade. Walking’s for losers.

**Give a man a fish, feed him for a day; teach him to fish, feed him for life?**

Why fish when you can own the lake and charge admission? Tremendous profits.

**When the winds of change blow, some build walls, others build windmills?**

Build the wall. Ban windmills. They cause cancer, everyone says so.

**He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who doesn’t ask stays a fool forever?**

Never ask. Just declare. Confidence is the new wisdom.

**Patience is a virtue?**

Patience is for weak people.

**Act now.**

Sue later.

**Don’t fear going forward slowly, only fear standing still?**

Speed is strength. Standstill, and someone trademarks your name.

**A tiger doesn’t reveal its claws?**

Show the claws. Show the fangs. Never let them forget you’re the alpha.

**The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago; the second best is now?**

Cut the tree. Build a golf course. Name it after yourself.

**Even a hare will bite when cornered?**

Losers get cornered. Stay on offense. Attack first, ask questions never.

**Don’t be afraid of growing slowly, only of standing still?**

Growth is for stock portfolios. The brand’s always gotta be booming.

\[Disclaimer: This TikTok-leaked “document” came from some anonymous account with a face filter and AI-faked Mandarin. It might not be real, but it’s reliably funny.\]

\###

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 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/066j.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)### [A Prisoner, A Peacemaker, and Israel’s Defining Choice](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33231:a-prisoner-a-peacemaker-and-israels-defining-choice&catid=375)

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 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/065j.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33222:wheres-the-outrage-for-californias-disenfranchised-voters&catid=375)### [Where’s the Outrage for California’s Disenfranchised Voters?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33222:wheres-the-outrage-for-californias-disenfranchised-voters&catid=375)

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