諺語 · a single proverb
見機而作，不失其時
What does 見機而作，不失其時 (jiàn jī ér zuò bù shī qí shí) mean?
見機而作，不失其時 (jiàn jī ér zuò bù shī qí shí) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "see the opportunity and act, do not lose the moment." In use it means: Act when you see the right opportunity; do not let the right moment slip by. 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 Monkey.
Literally: "see the opportunity and act, do not lose the moment."
The reading
Opportunity does not linger like a houseguest waiting to be invited in. It passes at its own pace and the window of catching it is exactly as wide as the speed of recognition followed by action. The one who sees it and considers whether to act usually considers past the point where acting was possible.
What kind of proverb it is
Source Yi Jing 易經·繫辭下 (Xì Cí II)
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 Timing & Fortune's Turning, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Monkey, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.
Questions
Is 見機而作，不失其時 a real Chinese proverb?
Yes. 見機而作，不失其時 (jiàn jī ér zuò bù shī qí shí) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語), and it comes from Yi Jing 易經·繫辭下 (Xì Cí II). 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 見機而作，不失其時?
In Mandarin it is jiàn jī ér zuò bù shī qí shí. Read the pinyin above each character to follow the tones, or press the speaker beside the calligraphy to hear your browser read 見機而作，不失其時 aloud in Mandarin.