This is the full version of the previous saying, adding the consequence: if you waste your youth, you will only have empty sorrow and regret in old age. It's a powerful warning against procrastination.
The complete line from Yue Fei's '满江红' — one of the most famous patriotic poems in Chinese history. It's often recited in schools to instill discipline.
It combines motivation with a vivid image of future regret, making the warning emotionally impactful. Chinese sayings often use this 'if-then' structure to drive home moral lessons.
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