諺語 · a single proverb
今天事，今天畢
Simplified: 今天事，今天毕
What does 今天事，今天畢 (jīn tiān shì jīn tiān bì) mean?
今天事，今天畢 (jīn tiān shì jīn tiān bì) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "today's matters, today completed." In use it means: Finish today's work today; don't push today's tasks to tomorrow. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Wood note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rat.
Literally: "today's matters, today completed."
The reading
The work not completed today carries a weight into the next day that compounds. The morning that begins clear of yesterday's incompleteness has a different quality of readiness, a different relationship to what will be asked of it. Today's task completed today is the gift given to tomorrow before tomorrow has even asked for it.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Traditional Chinese folk proverb (common in educational and work culture)
Sits beside
Keep reading
Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Wealth, Work & Diligence, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rat, Year of the Ox, and Year of the Tiger.
Questions
Is 今天事，今天畢 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 今天事，今天畢 (jīn tiān shì jīn tiān bì) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Traditional Chinese folk proverb (common in educational and work culture). It is living Chinese heritage, given here with per-character pinyin and its source so you can trust the line, not a phrase invented in English.
How do you pronounce 今天事，今天畢?
In Mandarin it is jīn tiān shì jīn tiān bì. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 今天事，今天畢 aloud in Mandarin.