Chinese Proverbs About the Future
The future has always captivated human imagination, and Chinese culture is no exception. These proverbs reflect centuries of thought about destiny, preparation, and the delicate balance between planning for tomorrow and living fully today.
Chinese wisdom often emphasizes that while we cannot control the future, we can influence it through our present actions. Some proverbs encourage careful preparation, while others remind us that life’s twists and turns are often beyond prediction.
This collection brings together sayings that offer perspective on uncertainty, hope, and the human relationship with what is yet to come. They help us face the unknown with both practical wisdom and philosophical acceptance.
未雨绸缪
Wèi yǔ chóu móu
"Bind the nest before the rain"
天有不测风云
Tiān yǒu bù cè fēng yún
"The heavens have unpredictable winds and clouds"
居安思危
Jū ān sī wēi
"In times of peace, think of danger"
塞翁失马，焉知非福
Sài wēng shī mǎ, yān zhī fēi fú
"When the old man from the frontier lost his horse, how could he know it was not a blessing?"
十年树木，百年树人
Shí nián shù mù, bǎi nián shù rén
"It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to rear people"
十年磨一剑
Shí nián mó yī jiàn
"Ten years to sharpen a sword"