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A classical Chinese line for “Do not waste the good days”

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
✓ Verified sourceBilingual

君子成人之美，不成人之恶。小人反是。

Jūn zǐ chéng rén zhī měi, bù chéng rén zhī è. Xiǎo rén fǎn shì.

Close English reading

The noble person brings others' good purposes to completion and does not complete their wrongdoing; the petty person does the opposite.

Plain meaningSupport what is good in others instead of helping harm.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 12: Yan Yuan
The Analects
Why it fitsIt gives cooperation a moral direction: help good work succeed, but do not enable harm.
Original context and translation note
子曰：君子成人之美，不成人之恶。小人反是。

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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人生得意须尽欢，莫使金樽空对月。

Rén shēng dé yì xū jìn huān, mò shǐ jīn zūn kōng duì yuè.

Close English reading

When life goes well, enjoy it fully; do not leave the golden cup empty beneath the moon.

Plain meaningCelebrate the good moments while they are here.

Source
Li Bai· Tang dynasty · Bring in the Wine
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsIt gives joyful permission to be fully present when life offers a moment worth celebrating.
Original context and translation note
君不见黄河之水天上来，奔流到海不复回。

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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欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成。

Yù sù zé bù dá, jiàn xiǎo lì zé dà shì bù chéng.

Close English reading

If you desire speed, you will not arrive; if you chase small gains, great work will not be completed.

Plain meaningDo not let impatience or short-term rewards ruin the larger goal.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 13: Zi Lu
The Analects
Why it fitsIt links haste and short-term thinking to failure at work that matters.
Original context and translation note
无欲速，无见小利。欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成。

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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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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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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不以物喜，不以己悲。

Bù yǐ wù xǐ, bù yǐ jǐ bēi.

Close English reading

Do not rejoice because of external things, nor grieve because of personal loss.

Plain meaningKeep your balance through success and setback.

Source
Fan Zhongyan· Northern Song dynasty · Memorial to Yueyang Tower
Collected Works of Fan Zhongyan
Why it fitsIt describes emotional steadiness that is not controlled by possessions, status, or personal fortune.
Original context and translation note
予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者之为。

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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Related themes

Fairness & integritySource-verified teachings on equal rules, honest competition, proper means, helping others do good, and resisting unjust advantage.FriendshipVerified classical Chinese lines about true friends, distance, understanding, and harmony without conformity.Work & leadershipSource-verified teachings on strategy, responsibility, teamwork, preparation, talent, tools, discretion, and execution.LifeVerified classical Chinese lines about enjoying the present, weathering change, and choosing what deserves your attention.WisdomSource-verified teachings on priorities, patience, judgment, principles, and learning from others.LearningClassical Chinese teachings on steady study, reflection, practice, preparation, and learning from everyone.

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A Classical Chinese Line for “Do not waste the good days” | Gu Ren Said