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A classical Chinese line for “Slow down and do not rush”

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

欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成。

Yù sù zé bù dá, jiàn xiǎo lì zé dà shì bù chéng.

Close English reading

If you desire speed, you will not arrive; if you chase small gains, great work will not be completed.

Plain meaningDo not let impatience or short-term rewards ruin the larger goal.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 13: Zi Lu
The Analects
Why it fitsIt links haste and short-term thinking to failure at work that matters.
Original context and translation note
无欲速，无见小利。欲速则不达，见小利则大事不成。

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

采菊东篱下，悠然见南山。

Cǎi jú dōng lí xià, yōu rán jiàn nán shān.

Close English reading

I pluck chrysanthemums by the eastern fence and, at ease, see the southern mountain.

Plain meaningPeace appears when you step away from noise and live simply.

Source
Tao Yuanming· Eastern Jin dynasty · Drinking Wine, No. 5
Collected Works of Tao Yuanming
Why it fitsA quiet everyday action opens into an unforced encounter with nature.
Original context and translation note
结庐在人境，而无车马喧。

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

不以物喜，不以己悲。

Bù yǐ wù xǐ, bù yǐ jǐ bēi.

Close English reading

Do not rejoice because of external things, nor grieve because of personal loss.

Plain meaningKeep your balance through success and setback.

Source
Fan Zhongyan· Northern Song dynasty · Memorial to Yueyang Tower
Collected Works of Fan Zhongyan
Why it fitsIt describes emotional steadiness that is not controlled by possessions, status, or personal fortune.
Original context and translation note
予尝求古仁人之心，或异二者之为。

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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且举世誉之而不加劝，举世非之而不加沮。

Qiě jǔ shì yù zhī ér bù jiā quàn, jǔ shì fēi zhī ér bù jiā jǔ.

Close English reading

Praised by the whole world, he is not further encouraged; condemned by the whole world, he is not discouraged.

Plain meaningLet neither praise nor criticism control who you are.

Source
Zhuangzi· Warring States period · Free and Easy Wandering
Zhuangzi
Why it fitsIt describes an inner standard strong enough to survive both approval and rejection.
Original context and translation note
且举世誉之而不加劝，举世非之而不加沮。

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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拣尽寒枝不肯栖，寂寞沙洲冷。

Jiǎn jìn hán zhī bù kěn qī, jì mò shā zhōu lěng.

Close English reading

After choosing through every cold branch, it still refuses to settle, alone on the chilly sandbar.

Plain meaningI would rather remain alone than settle where I do not belong.

Source
Su Shi· Northern Song dynasty · Song of Divination: At Dinghui Temple in Huangzhou
Dongpo Yuefu
Why it fitsThe solitary wild goose is often read as a figure of wounded pride and self-possession, not merely romantic loneliness.
Original context and translation note
谁见幽人独往来？缥缈孤鸿影。惊起却回头，有恨无人省。拣尽寒枝不肯栖，寂寞沙洲冷。

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

过犹不及。

Guò yóu bù jí.

Close English reading

Going too far is no better than falling short.

Plain meaningExcess and deficiency can both miss the right measure.

Source
Confucius· Pre-Qin China · Analects 11: Xian Jin
The Analects
Why it fitsThis concise judgment is about proportion, not a claim that every dispute should be solved by choosing the numerical middle.
Original context and translation note
过犹不及。

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.Inner peaceClassical Chinese lines about calm, simplicity, freedom from noise, and a mind not controlled by praise or blame.SadnessClassical Chinese lines for sorrow, loneliness, emotional exhaustion, and grief that will not disappear on command.

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 “Slow down and do not rush” | Gu Ren Said