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A classical Chinese line for “Keep plans confidential”

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

事以密成，语以泄败。

Shì yǐ mì chéng, yǔ yǐ xiè bài.

Close English reading

Affairs succeed through secrecy; words cause them to fail through disclosure.

Plain meaningSome plans need discretion before they are ready.

Source
Han Fei· Warring States period · The Difficulties of Persuasion
Han Feizi
Why it fitsIt is a warning that careless disclosure can destroy work before execution is complete.
Original context and translation note
夫事以密成，语以泄败。

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

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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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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欲穷千里目，更上一层楼。

Yù qióng qiān lǐ mù, gèng shàng yī céng lóu.

Close English reading

To see a thousand miles farther, climb one story higher.

Plain meaningRaise your level if you want a wider view.

Source
Wang Zhihuan· Tang dynasty · Climbing Stork Tower
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe simple movement upward joins effort, perspective, and ambition in one image.
Original context and translation note
欲穷千里目，更上一层楼。

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

学而不厌，诲人不倦。

Xué ér bù yàn, huì rén bù juàn.

Close English reading

Learn without weariness and teach others without tiring.

Plain meaningKeep learning, and teach with patience.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 7: Shu Er
The Analects
Why it fitsLearning and teaching appear as parallel disciplines rather than separate identities.
Original context and translation note
学而不厌，诲人不倦。

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

Work & leadershipSource-verified teachings on strategy, responsibility, teamwork, preparation, talent, tools, discretion, and execution.WisdomSource-verified teachings on priorities, patience, judgment, principles, and learning from others.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.

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A Classical Chinese Line for “Keep plans confidential” | Gu Ren Said