Chinese Proverb: 【明枪易躲，暗箭难防】
Chinese Pinyin: míng qiāng yì duǒ，àn jiàn nán fáng
Definition:
- Easy to parry a spear-thrust in the open, but hard to evade an arrow shot in the dark.
- False friends are worse than open enemies.
Note: This proverb warns that hidden or deceitful attacks (like slander or betrayal from those close) are far more dangerous and difficult to guard against than open, direct confrontations.
Example Sentences:
- The company was prepared for market competition, but the damage from a trusted partner’s secret betrayal proved that it’s easy to parry a spear-thrust in the open, but hard to evade an arrow shot in the dark.
公司对市场竞争有所准备，但来自可信伙伴的秘密背叛造成的损害，证明了明枪易躲，暗箭难防。 - He realized too late that the colleague who smiled to his face was spreading rumors behind his back, a painful lesson that false friends are worse than open enemies.
他意识到得太晚，那个当面微笑的同事在背后散布谣言，这痛苦地印证了明枪易躲，暗箭难防的道理。
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