A classical Chinese line for “Prepare before you begin”

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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2 source-verified results

✓ Verified sourceBilingual

凡事豫则立，不豫则废。

Fán shì yù zé lì, bù yù zé fèi.

Close English reading

In all things, preparation leads to success; lack of preparation leads to failure.

Plain meaningPrepare before you begin if you want the work to stand.

SourceTraditionally attributed to Zisi · Warring States period · Doctrine of the Mean
Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean

Why it fitsIt states the practical value of preparation in the fewest possible words.

Original context and translation note

凡事豫则立，不豫则废；言前定则不跲，事前定则不困。

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

千里之行，始于足下。

Qiān lǐ zhī xíng, shǐ yú zú xià.

Close English reading

A journey of a thousand miles begins beneath one's feet.

Plain meaningBegin with the first real step, however small.

SourceLaozi · Spring and Autumn period · Tao Te Ching, Chapter 64
Tao Te Ching

Why it fitsIt turns an overwhelming distance into one immediate action.

Original context and translation note

千里之行，始于足下。

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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凡事豫则立，不豫则废。

千里之行，始于足下。

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