繁荣昌盛thriving and prosperous

爱不释手fondle admiringly

爱财如命skin a flea¹ for its hide .

爱屋及乌love me,love my dog ;; He that loves the tree loves the branch

安居乐业live and work in peace and contentment

白手起家build up from nothing

百里挑一one in hundred

百折不挠be indomitable

半途而废give up halfway² leave sth. Unfinished

包罗万象all-embracing all-inclusive

饱经风霜weather-beaten

卑躬屈膝bow and scrape cringe

悲欢离合vicissitudes of life

背道而驰run counter to run in the opposite direction

本末倒置put the cart before the horse

笨鸟先飞the slow need to start early

必由之路the only way

闭关自守close the country to international intercourse⁴

变本加厉be further intensified⁵

变化无常chop and change fantasticality

变化无常chop and change fantasticality

别开生面having sth. New

别有用心have ulterior motives

彬彬有礼refined and courteous urbane

兵不厌诈in war nothing is too deceitful

博古通今erudite and informed

不败之地incincible position

不耻下问feel not ashamed to learn from one's subordinates

不可救药be past praying for beyond redemption

不劳而获reap where one has not sown

不屈不挠fortitude indefatigability perseverance persevere tenacity

不速之客crasher uninvited guest

不同凡响outstanding

不言而喻speak for itself tell its own story tell its own tale went without saying

不遗余力spare no effort spare no pains

不以为然not approve object to