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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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The closest lines we found

6 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.

Source
Traditionally 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

居安思危，思则有备，有备无患。

Jū ān sī wēi, sī zé yǒu bèi, yǒu bèi wú huàn.

Close English reading

In safety, think of danger; thinking brings preparation, and preparation prevents calamity.

Plain meaningPrepare for risk before trouble arrives.

Source
Zuo Qiuming· Spring and Autumn period · Duke Xiang, Year Eleven
Zuo Commentary
Why it fitsIt is a compact chain from awareness to preparation to reduced harm.
Original context and translation note
居安思危，思则有备，有备无患。

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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先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐。

Xiān tiān xià zhī yōu ér yōu, hòu tiān xià zhī lè ér lè.

Close English reading

Be concerned before all under heaven are concerned, and enjoy happiness only after all under heaven enjoy it.

Plain meaningLeadership means carrying responsibility before taking reward.

Source
Fan Zhongyan· Northern Song dynasty · Memorial to Yueyang Tower
Guwen Guanzhi: Memorial to Yueyang Tower
Why it fitsIt defines public responsibility through sequence: concern first, enjoyment last.
Original context and translation note
先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐。

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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见贤思齐焉，见不贤而内自省也。

Jiàn xián sī qí yān, jiàn bù xián ér nèi zì xǐng yě.

Close English reading

When you see a worthy person, think of becoming their equal; when you see someone unworthy, examine yourself within.

Plain meaningLearn from good examples, and use bad examples to inspect yourself.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 4: Li Ren
The Analects
Why it fitsThe second half turns criticism outward into a demand for self-examination.
Original context and translation note
见贤思齐焉，见不贤而内自省也。

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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莫愁前路无知己，天下谁人不识君。

Mò chóu qián lù wú zhī jǐ, tiān xià shuí rén bù shí jūn.

Close English reading

Do not worry that no true friend waits on the road ahead; who under heaven does not know you?

Plain meaningGo forward confidently—you will find people who recognize and value you.

Source
Gao Shi· Tang dynasty · Farewell to Dong Da, No. 1
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsInstead of dwelling only on sorrow, the speaker gives a departing friend courage for the future.
Original context and translation note
莫愁前路无知己，天下谁人不识君。

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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运筹策帷帐之中，决胜于千里之外。

Yùn chóu cè wéi zhàng zhī zhōng, jué shèng yú qiān lǐ zhī wài.

Close English reading

Form strategies within the command tent and decide victory a thousand miles away.

Plain meaningGood strategy shapes results long before the final action.

Source
Sima Qian· Western Han dynasty · Basic Annals of Emperor Gaozu
Records of the Grand Historian
Why it fitsIt praises the kind of planning whose effects reach far beyond the room where decisions are made.
Original context and translation note
夫运筹策帷帐之中，决胜于千里之外，吾不如子房。

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

WisdomSource-verified teachings on priorities, patience, judgment, principles, and learning from others.LearningClassical Chinese teachings on steady study, reflection, practice, preparation, and learning from everyone.Work & leadershipSource-verified teachings on strategy, responsibility, teamwork, preparation, talent, tools, discretion, and execution.Fairness & integritySource-verified teachings on equal rules, honest competition, proper means, helping others do good, and resisting unjust advantage.CourageClassical Chinese sayings about integrity under wealth, hardship, pressure, praise, and criticism.Thinking & empathySource-verified teachings about questioning books, treating others with care, learning from examples, and avoiding excess.

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A Classical Chinese Line for “Prepare before you begin” | Gu Ren Said