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A classical Chinese line for “Hold your hand and grow old”

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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死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

Sǐ shēng qì kuò, yǔ zǐ chéng shuō. Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo.

Close English reading

Through life and death, union and separation, I made this pledge with you: holding your hand, I will grow old with you.

Plain meaningI promise to stand with you through life and grow old together.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Ji Gu (Drums)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsIts language of pledge, hand-holding, and growing old together makes it a powerful expression of enduring commitment.
Original context and translation note
死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

The poem's original setting is separation in military service, which gives the promise a more difficult context than a simple wedding slogan.

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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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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愿得一心人，白头不相离。

Yuàn dé yī xīn rén, bái tóu bù xiāng lí.

Close English reading

May I find one true-hearted person and never part until our hair turns white.

Plain meaningI want a faithful love that lasts for life.

Source
Traditionally attributed to Zhuo Wenjun· Han dynasty · Baitou Yin (Song of White Hair)
New Songs from a Jade Terrace
Why it fitsA direct wish for one faithful partner and a lifetime without separation.
Original context and translation note
皑如山上雪，皎若云间月。闻君有两意，故来相决绝。愿得一心人，白头不相离。

The attribution to Zhuo Wenjun is traditional; the line is presented with the source used by the Chinese corpus.

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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温故而知新，可以为师矣。

Wēn gù ér zhī xīn, kě yǐ wéi shī yǐ.

Close English reading

Review what is old and understand what is new; then one can serve as a teacher.

Plain meaningReturn to what you know until it yields a new understanding.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 2: Wei Zheng
The Analects
Why it fitsReview is valuable here because it creates insight, not because repetition alone is virtuous.
Original context and translation note
温故而知新，可以为师矣。

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.

Explore nearby meanings

Related themes

LoveVerified lines from classical Chinese poetry about affection, romance, and a heart that cannot forget.CommitmentSource-verified lines about lifelong devotion, marriage, faithful love, and growing old together.Aging & resilienceClassical Chinese lines about keeping ambition, courage, and purpose through age, setbacks, and difficult circumstances.Ambition & successClassical lines about large ambitions, earned success, wider horizons, talent, opportunity, and the exhilaration of achievement.PerseveranceClassical Chinese lines about resilience, patient progress, courage after failure, and hope beyond hardship.CourageClassical Chinese sayings about integrity under wealth, hardship, pressure, praise, and criticism.

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 “Hold your hand and grow old” | Gu Ren Said