 Chan 's character has also come under fire for " nuggets of fortune cookie Confucius " and the " counterfeit proverbs " which became so widespread in popular culture . The Biggers novels did not introduce the " Confucius say " proverbs , which were added in the films , but one novel features Chan remarking : " As all those who know me have learned to their distress , Chinese have proverbs to fit every possible situation . " Huang Yunte gives as examples " Tongue often hang man quicker than rope , " " Mind , like parachute , only function when open , " and " Man who flirt with dynamite sometime fly with angels . " He argues , however , that these " colorful aphorisms " display " amazing linguistic acrobatic skills . " Like the African American " signifying monkey , " Huang continues , Chan " imparts as much insult as wisdom . " 
