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A classical Chinese line for “Hardship should not break your ambition”

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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老当益壮，宁移白首之心；穷且益坚，不坠青云之志。

Lǎo dāng yì zhuàng, nǐng yí bái shǒu zhī xīn; qióng qiě yì jiān, bù zhuì qīng yún zhī zhì.

Close English reading

In old age one should grow still stronger—how could a white-haired heart be changed? In hardship one should grow still firmer and never let high aspiration fall.

Plain meaningNeither age nor hardship should make you abandon a worthy ambition.

Source
Wang Bo· Tang dynasty · Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng
Guwen Guanzhi: Preface to the Pavilion of Prince Teng
Why it fitsThe paired clauses join aging and adversity as two pressures that can strengthen rather than erase resolve.
Original context and translation note
老当益壮，宁移白首之心；穷且益坚，不坠青云之志。

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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燕雀安知鸿鹄之志哉！

Yàn què ān zhī hóng hú zhī zhì zāi!

Close English reading

How could sparrows and swallows know the ambition of a great swan?

Plain meaningPeople with small horizons may not understand a larger dream.

Source
Sima Qian· Western Han dynasty · The House of Chen She
Records of the Grand Historian
Why it fitsThe contrast between small birds and the great swan gives defiant language to misunderstood ambition.
Original context and translation note
燕雀安知鸿鹄之志哉！

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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老骥伏枥，志在千里；烈士暮年，壮心不已。

Lǎo jì fú lì, zhì zài qiān lǐ; liè shì mù nián, zhuàng xīn bù yǐ.

Close English reading

An old warhorse rests by the manger, yet its ambition remains a thousand miles; a person of spirit in later years does not let bold purpose cease.

Plain meaningAge does not have to end ambition or purpose.

Source
Cao Cao· Eastern Han dynasty · Though the Tortoise Lives Long
Yuefu Poetry Collection
Why it fitsThe image acknowledges age directly while separating physical stage from the continued reach of aspiration.
Original context and translation note
老骥伏枥，志在千里；烈士暮年，壮心不已。盈缩之期，不但在天；养怡之福，可得永年。

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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生于忧患，而死于安乐也。

Shēng yú yōu huàn, ér sǐ yú ān lè yě.

Close English reading

One survives and grows through hardship, and perishes in ease.

Plain meaningDifficulty can strengthen you; complacency can weaken you.

Source
Mencius· Warring States period · Mencius: Gaozi II
Mencius
Why it fitsThe line treats hardship as a source of alertness and growth, while warning against excessive comfort.
Original context and translation note
然后知生于忧患，而死于安乐也。

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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大鹏一日同风起，扶摇直上九万里。

Dà péng yī rì tóng fēng qǐ, fú yáo zhí shàng jiǔ wàn lǐ.

Close English reading

When the great roc rises with the wind, it soars ninety thousand li.

Plain meaningA great ambition can rise with the right moment.

Source
Li Bai· Tang dynasty · Presented to Li Yong
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe giant roc gives scale and motion to confidence in an extraordinary future.
Original context and translation note
大鹏一日同风起，扶摇直上九万里。

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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富与贵，是人之所欲也；不以其道得之，不处也。

Fù yǔ guì, shì rén zhī suǒ yù yě; bù yǐ qí dào dé zhī, bù chǔ yě.

Close English reading

Wealth and honor are what people desire; if they cannot be obtained by the right way, do not accept them.

Plain meaningSuccess is not worth having if it requires the wrong means.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 4: Li Ren
The Analects
Why it fitsIt recognizes the desire for success while refusing dishonest methods.
Original context and translation note
子曰：富与贵，是人之所欲也；不以其道得之，不处也。贫与贱，是人之所恶也；不以其道得之，不去也。

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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Ambition & successClassical lines about large ambitions, earned success, wider horizons, talent, opportunity, and the exhilaration of achievement.

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 “Hardship should not break your ambition” | Gu Ren Said