- 大树底下好乘凉 dàshùdǐxiahǎochéngliáng to benefit from powerful connectionsLiterally "it is good to enjoy the shade under a big tree"; used to describe benefiting from the protection or influence of a powerful person or organization
- 前人栽树，后人乘凉 qiánrénzāishùhòurénchéngliáng to benefit from one's predecessorsOne generation plants the trees in whose shade the next generation rests; to enjoy the benefits of the hard work and foresight of those who came before.
- 前人种树，后人乘凉 qiánrénzhòngshùhòurénchéngliáng to benefit from one's predecessorsone generation plants trees and the next sits in their shade; to enjoy the fruits of the labor of those who came before