Chinese allegories
歇后语
These are two-part allegorical sayings. The first part, which is always stated, is the literal meaning of the expression. The second part is the unstated, implied meaning of the expression.

guān qǐlái dă luó - míng shēng zài wài
关起门来打锣 - 名声在外
Close the door to beat gongs - be well-known

hán dōng là yuè de mă fēng wō - kōng kōng dòng dòng
寒冬腊月的马蜂窝 - 空空洞洞
A hornet's nest in severe winter - empty; hollow; devoid of substance

hăo mă zāo biān dă - rěn rŭ fù zhòng
好马遭鞭打 - 忍辱负重
A hardworking horse is whipped - show great fortitude under humiliating circumstances

hòu bàn yè zuò měi mèng  - hăo jĭng bù cháng
后半夜做美梦 - 好景不长
Have a beautiful dream after midnight - good times don't last long; pleasant hours fly fast

gŭ dŏng diàn lăo băn - yăn lĭshì huò
古董店老板 - 眼里识货
An antique shopkeeper - a person who knows what is what; a knowledgeable person

guān yīn pú sà xià dú shŏu - miàn shàn xīn bù shàn
观音菩萨下毒手 -  面善心不善
Guanyin, goddess of mercy, lays murderous hands - have a merciful face but a wolfish heart

qián táng jiāng zhăng cháo - dà qĭdà luò
钱塘江涨潮 - 大起大落
The Qiantang River tides are on the flow - great ups and downs; sharp rise and fall

qián yŏu qiáng dí hòu yŏu zhuī bīng - jìn tuì liăng nán
前有强敌后有追兵 - 进退两难
There are intercepting troops in front and pursuing troops behind - find it difficult to advance or retreat; be in a dilemma

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(China.org.cn by Li Jingrong)