confusing phrases/proverbs

[82riceballs]

In this link, I read the following sentence:

A Chinese in power, it has been said, is a Confucian: out of power, he is a Taoist, and when about to die, a Buddhist.

What is this in Chinese? or is it just a Western saying?

Also, what does this mean?

Also in the same link are the phrases "Win your law suit and lose your money."

[monto]

A Chinese in power, it has been said, is a Confucian: out of power, he is a Taoist, and when about to die, a Buddhist.

Don't know the it in Chinese.

Confucian idea may contain many aspects, but, politically, it emphasizes on orders and orders, it tells people, especially the low-class people to obey. This is the idea all the rulers like very much.

Taoists, in common sense do not care much of the earthly world.

Also in common sense, Buddhists believe life comes one after another (cycling)

So, different idea fits different people.

"Win your law suit and lose your money."

赢了官司输了钱

The cost for law suits usually goes very high, often higher than what you intend to protect through the law suit. So, even if you win the suit, you still get loss altogether.

[studentyoung]

A Chinese in power, it has been said, is a Confucian: out of power, he is a Taoist, and when about to die, a Buddhist.

What is this in Chinese? or is it just a Western saying?

There is no a fixed saying in Chinese. If you have to express it in Chinese, it is 出则儒，退则道，死则佛.

Also, what does this mean?

It means when a Chinese is in power or being an official, he usually takes Confucianism as his guiding thoughts; when he’s out of power or suffering from political problems in officialdom, that’s Taoism; when he is about to die or facing up to the problem of death, Buddhism. For example, 苏东坡.is a representative figure of this kind.

Cheers!

[82riceballs]

Thanks guys!