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A classical Chinese line for “Stay ambitious as you grow older”

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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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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死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

Sǐ shēng qì kuò, yǔ zǐ chéng shuō. Zhí zǐ zhī shǒu, yǔ zǐ xié lǎo.

Close English reading

Through life and death, union and separation, I made this pledge with you: holding your hand, I will grow old with you.

Plain meaningI promise to stand with you through life and grow old together.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Ji Gu (Drums)
The Book of Songs
Why it fitsIts language of pledge, hand-holding, and growing old together makes it a powerful expression of enduring commitment.
Original context and translation note
死生契阔，与子成说。执子之手，与子偕老。

The poem's original setting is separation in military service, which gives the promise a more difficult context than a simple wedding slogan.

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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会当凌绝顶，一览众山小。

Huì dāng líng jué dǐng, yī lǎn zhòng shān xiǎo.

Close English reading

I will surely climb to the highest summit and see all the other mountains become small.

Plain meaningAim for the summit and gain the wider view that effort makes possible.

Source
Du Fu· Tang dynasty · Gazing at Mount Tai
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe future tense matters: the summit is a declared ambition, not an achievement already possessed.
Original context and translation note
荡胸生曾云，决眦入归鸟。会当凌绝顶，一览众山小。

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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生于忧患，而死于安乐也。

Shēng yú yōu huàn, ér sǐ yú ān lè yě.

Close English reading

One survives and grows through hardship, and perishes in ease.

Plain meaningDifficulty can strengthen you; complacency can weaken you.

Source
Mencius· Warring States period · Mencius: Gaozi II
Mencius
Why it fitsThe line treats hardship as a source of alertness and growth, while warning against excessive comfort.
Original context and translation note
然后知生于忧患，而死于安乐也。

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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教学相长也。

Jiào xué xiāng zhǎng yě.

Close English reading

Teaching and learning cause each other to grow.

Plain meaningTeachers and students can improve through one another.

Source
Anonymous· Pre-Qin China · Record of Learning
Book of Rites: Record of Learning
Why it fitsThe surrounding passage says learning reveals what one lacks, while teaching reveals where one is blocked.
Original context and translation note
虽有嘉肴，弗食，不知其旨也；虽有至道，弗学，不知其善也。是故学然后知不足，教然后知困。知不足，然后能自反也；知困，然后能自强也。故曰：教学相长也。

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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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

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.LoveVerified lines from classical Chinese poetry about affection, romance, and a heart that cannot forget.CommitmentSource-verified lines about lifelong devotion, marriage, faithful love, and growing old together.CourageClassical Chinese sayings about integrity under wealth, hardship, pressure, praise, and criticism.

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 “Stay ambitious as you grow older” | Gu Ren Said