Hardship Interesting

留得五湖明月在，不愁无处下金钩

liú dé wǔ hú míng yuè zài, bù chóu wú chù xià jīn gōu

As long as the moon shines over the five lakes, you need not worry about where to cast your golden hook.

Literal translation

Keep the five lakes' bright moon existing, not worry no place to cast golden hook.

What it means

This saying encourages optimism and resilience: as long as y...

This saying encourages optimism and resilience: as long as you preserve your fundamental resources or abilities (symbolized by the moon and lakes), there will always be future opportunities to succeed (casting the golden hook). It is a call to not despair over temporary setbacks.

Cultural context

The 'five lakes' (五湖) is a poetic reference to China's great lakes, symbolizing the vastness of the world and its opportunities. The 'golden hook' evokes fishing, a metaphor for seeking success or fortune. This saying is rooted in the Chinese philosophical tradition of patience and long-term thinking.

When Chinese people say this

Someone might say this to comfort a friend who has lost a job or a business deal, reminding them that as long as they have their health, skills, or connections, new chances will arise.

Why Chinese people say this

Chinese people use this saying to reframe failure as a temporary phase rather than a permanent state. It signals a belief in cyclical fortune and the importance of preserving one's 'capital'—whether material, social, or personal—for future use.

#patience #hard-times #wisdom

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