Yīngxióng xīng xīng xiāng xī, 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.
