Yīngxióng xīngxīng-xiāngxī, bǐcǐ xīnshǎng duìfāng de cáihuá.
Heroes recognize heroes - each admires the other's talent.
Tips
history
From Wang Shifu's 王实甫 Yuan drama 《西厢记》: 方信道惺惺的自古惜惺惺 - 'so it's true: the talented have always cherished the talented.' 惺惺 (wide-awake, sharp-witted) originally referred to alert, capable people.
usage
Classic pairings: two warriors who respect each other on the battlefield, two artists in different schools, or long-time rivals who acknowledge each other's quality. Implies mutual recognition - one-sided admiration is 仰慕 or 敬佩 instead.
