饮水思源 remember the source of water
Explanation
比喻不忘本，报答养育或帮助自己的人。
A metaphor for remembering one's roots and repaying those who have nurtured or helped one..
Origin Story
很久以前，在一个偏僻的小山村里，住着一位善良的农妇。她靠种地为生，日子过得清贫但却很快乐。有一天，村里来了个落魄的书生，农妇好心收留了他，并给他提供吃住，还帮他补习功课。书生非常感激，发誓将来一定会报答农妇的恩情。后来，书生金榜题名，做了大官，他没有忘记农妇的恩情，多次派人送钱送物，还亲自回村看望她。农妇看着衣锦还乡的书生，心里感慨万千，她对书生说：‘饮水思源，我帮你，只是因为你善良，我也希望你能饮水思源，不忘初心。’
Long ago, in a remote mountain village, lived a kind peasant woman. She made her living by farming and lived a poor but happy life. One day, a down-and-out scholar came to the village. The peasant woman kindly took him in, providing him with food and lodging, and even helping him with his studies. The scholar was very grateful and vowed that he would repay the peasant woman's kindness in the future. Later, the scholar passed the imperial examinations and became a high official. He did not forget the kindness of the peasant woman, and he sent money and gifts to her many times and even visited her personally in the village. The peasant woman looked at the scholar who had returned home in glory and sighed deeply. She said to him: 'Remember the source when you drink water. I helped you because you were kind, and I hope you remember the source and never forget your original intention.'
Usage
常用作宾语、定语；比喻不忘本。
Often used as an object or attribute; a metaphor for not forgetting one's roots..
Examples
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饮水思源，我们应该不忘党的恩情。
yǐnshuǐ sīyuán, wǒmen yīnggāi bùwàng dǎng de ēnqíng
We should not forget the kindness of the party by remembering the source of the water.
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他饮水思源，时刻不忘家乡父老的养育之恩。
tā yǐnshuǐ sīyuán, shí kè bùwàng jiāxiāng fùlǎo de yǎngyù zhī ēn
He always remembers the source of the water and never forgets the upbringing of the people in his hometown..