The Road to Hell is Paved with Good Intentions

[David W Jackson]

通向地狱的道路是好心铺成 is I know, English Chinese of the worst kind, so could someone please provide an authentic translation or two? I drew a blank in Plecodict, Adso, NCIKU etc. Thanks a lot.

[Sarevok]

Consider these two:

通往地狱的道路是由好心铺成的。

通往地狱的道路是用良好的意愿铺成的。

These are perfectly valid sentences, but they are still only translations. Maybe there is some chengyu or other idiomatic expression with the same or similar meaning - using that would be much more elegant. But that is a question for other forum users...

[skylee]

We have this saying in HK (I am not sure if it is used/understood in other parts of China) -> 好心做壞事

[David W Jackson]

Thanks chaps. With a slightly less fuddled brain I found another one today too:

仅有良好的意图是不够的 (merely having excellent intentions is not enough) which I quite like. A question: does anyone know of a Proverbs/Idiom Dictionary which is searchable English-Chinese as opposed to the other way round which is what all the ones I have are?

Happy Holidays!