良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行

良药苦口利于病，忠言逆耳利于行 [liáng yào kǔ kǒu lì yú bìng zhōng yán nì ěr lì yú xíng]

1. ■ A bitter medicine cures the disease. Honest advice may be unpleasant to hear, but it is best.; Although good medicine cures sickness, it is often unpalatable; likewise, sincere advice given for one's well-being, is often resented.; Good medicine is bitter in the mouth but good for the disease; faithful words offend the ear but are good for the conduct.; Just as bitter medicine cures sickness, so unpalatable advice benefits conduct.; Unpleasant [unpalatable] advice, like bitter medicine, has welcome effect.