少壮不努力,老大徒伤悲
“If the young do not exert themselves, the old will grieve in vain.”
Wasted youth leads to regret in old age, so effort should come early.
— Traditional China Wisdom, China
Source: Anonymous, "Changge Xing" (Long Song Ballad), Yuefu poetry collection, Han dynasty
More Proverbs from China
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Great undertakings are accomplished by starting with a single small action.
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Study and reflection must go together to gain true understanding.
Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.
Treat others with the same consideration you would wish for yourself.
When the old frontiersman lost his horse, who could know it was not a blessing?
Apparent misfortune may turn out to be good luck, and vice versa.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.
Thorough knowledge of both sides ensures success in any conflict.
Among any three people walking together, one can surely be my teacher.
There is something to learn from everyone around you.