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A classical Chinese line for “Do not rely on one plan”

These matches come from a curated corpus of real Chinese poetry and philosophy. The source line is fixed; the English wording is provided to make its meaning accessible.

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6 source-verified results
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狡兔有三窟，仅得免其死耳。

Jiǎo tù yǒu sān kū, jǐn dé miǎn qí sǐ ěr.

Close English reading

A cunning rabbit has three burrows and only thereby escapes death.

Plain meaningDo not depend on a single plan; keep alternatives.

Source
Anonymous compilers· Compiled in the Western Han dynasty · Strategies of Qi IV
Strategies of the Warring States
Why it fitsMultiple shelters become a vivid warning against a single point of failure.
Original context and translation note
狡兔有三窟，仅得免其死耳。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

人非生而知之者，孰能无惑？

Rén fēi shēng ér zhī zhī zhě, shú néng wú huò?

Close English reading

People are not born knowing; who can be without questions?

Plain meaningNot knowing is normal—ask and learn.

Source
Han Yu· Tang dynasty · On Teachers
Guwen Guanzhi: On Teachers
Why it fitsThe question removes shame from uncertainty and makes seeking instruction reasonable.
Original context and translation note
人非生而知之者，孰能无惑？

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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法不阿贵，绳不挠曲。

Fǎ bù ē guì, shéng bù náo qū.

Close English reading

Law does not bend toward the powerful; the marking line does not curve around what is crooked.

Plain meaningRules should apply equally, even to the powerful.

Source
Han Fei· Warring States period · You Du (Having Standards)
Han Feizi
Why it fitsThe measuring line becomes an image of a standard that refuses to bend for status.
Original context and translation note
法不阿贵，绳不挠曲。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

居安思危，思则有备，有备无患。

Jū ān sī wēi, sī zé yǒu bèi, yǒu bèi wú huàn.

Close English reading

In safety, think of danger; thinking brings preparation, and preparation prevents calamity.

Plain meaningPrepare for risk before trouble arrives.

Source
Zuo Qiuming· Spring and Autumn period · Duke Xiang, Year Eleven
Zuo Commentary
Why it fitsIt is a compact chain from awareness to preparation to reduced harm.
Original context and translation note
居安思危，思则有备，有备无患。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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父母在，不远游，游必有方。

Fù mǔ zài, bù yuǎn yóu; yóu bì yǒu fāng.

Close English reading

While one's parents are alive, do not travel far; if one must travel, have a definite destination.

Plain meaningWhen you go far away, remain responsible to the family who worries about you.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 4: Li Ren
The Analects
Why it fitsThe line reflects an ancient family structure; a modern reading can preserve its concern for communication and responsibility without treating all travel as wrong.
Original context and translation note
父母在，不远游，游必有方。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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不期修古，不法常可。

Bù qī xiū gǔ, bù fǎ cháng kě.

Close English reading

Do not expect to restore the ancient ways, and do not treat customary methods as permanently valid.

Plain meaningAdapt to reality instead of copying old solutions.

Source
Han Fei· Warring States period · The Five Vermin
Han Feizi
Why it fitsIt rejects automatic reverence for precedent when circumstances have changed.
Original context and translation note
不期修古，不法常可。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Translation note: The English readings are original explanatory translations for this product. They are designed for clarity and source verification, not presented as definitive literary translations.

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Original Chinese line, pinyin, a readable English explanation, and a traceable source—without inventing an ancient quotation.

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A Classical Chinese Line for “Do not rely on one plan” | Gu Ren Said