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A classical Chinese line for “Know when to stop”

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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知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。

Zhī zú bù rǔ, zhī zhǐ bù dài, kě yǐ cháng jiǔ.

Close English reading

Know contentment and avoid disgrace; know where to stop and avoid danger; then you can endure.

Plain meaningKnow what is enough and when to stop.

Source
Laozi· Spring and Autumn period · Tao Te Ching, Chapter 44
Tao Te Ching
Why it fitsContentment and restraint are presented as conditions for safety and endurance.
Original context and translation note
知足不辱，知止不殆，可以长久。

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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山有木兮木有枝，心悦君兮君不知。

Shān yǒu mù xī mù yǒu zhī, xīn yuè jūn xī jūn bù zhī.

Close English reading

The mountain has trees and the trees have branches; my heart delights in you, yet you do not know.

Plain meaningI love you, but you do not know how I feel.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Song of the Yue Boatman
Shuo Yuan (Garden of Stories)
Why it fitsFew classical lines express unspoken affection more clearly: the feeling is real, but remains unknown to the beloved.
Original context and translation note
山有木兮木有枝，心悦君兮君不知。

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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青青子衿，悠悠我心。

Qīng qīng zǐ jīn, yōu yōu wǒ xīn.

Close English reading

Green, green is your collar; long, long is the yearning in my heart.

Plain meaningYou stay on my mind, and my longing does not fade.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Zi Jin (The Blue Collar)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsA compact expression of sustained longing for someone who is absent or silent.
Original context and translation note
纵我不往，子宁不嗣音？

The collar identifies the person being longed for; the repeated words make the feeling linger.

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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玲珑骰子安红豆，入骨相思知不知。

Líng lóng tóu zǐ ān hóng dòu, rù gǔ xiāng sī zhī bù zhī.

Close English reading

A red bean is set inside the delicate die; do you know this longing has entered my bones?

Plain meaningI miss you so deeply it feels carved into me.

Source
Wen Tingyun· Tang dynasty · Newly Added Song of Willow Branches
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe red bean is a traditional emblem of longing, while the image of it entering the bones intensifies the feeling.
Original context and translation note
井底点灯深烛伊，共郎长行莫围棋。玲珑骰子安红豆，入骨相思知不知。

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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心不在焉，视而不见，听而不闻，食而不知其味。

Xīn bù zài yān, shì ér bù jiàn, tīng ér bù wén, shí ér bù zhī qí wèi.

Close English reading

When the mind is absent, one looks without seeing, hears without listening, and eats without knowing the taste.

Plain meaningWithout attention, you can be present and still miss everything.

Source
Traditionally associated with Zengzi· Pre-Qin China · The Great Learning
Book of Rites: The Great Learning
Why it fitsIt describes distraction through ordinary senses that stop registering what is directly in front of them.
Original context and translation note
心不在焉，视而不见，听而不闻，食而不知其味。

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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弟子不必不如师，师不必贤于弟子。

Dì zǐ bù bì bù rú shī, shī bù bì xián yú dì zǐ.

Close English reading

A student need not be inferior to the teacher, nor must a teacher be superior to the student.

Plain meaningStudents can surpass teachers, and expertise can differ by subject.

Source
Han Yu· Tang dynasty · On Teachers
Guwen Guanzhi: On Teachers
Why it fitsThe following sentence explains that people encounter the Way at different times and specialize in different fields.
Original context and translation note
是故弟子不必不如师，师不必贤于弟子，闻道有先后，术业有专攻，如是而已。

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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A Classical Chinese Line for “Know when to stop” | Gu Ren Said