莫mò道dào桑sāng榆yú晚wǎn,，為wéi霞xiá尚shàng滿mǎn天tiān

What does 莫道桑榆晚，為霞尚滿天 (mò dào sāng yú wǎn, wéi xiá shàng mǎn tiān) mean?

莫道桑榆晚，為霞尚滿天 (mò dào sāng yú wǎn, wéi xiá shàng mǎn tiān) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "Don't say the mulberry and elm twilight is too late; the rosy clouds still fill the sky." In use it means: Do not assume that old age or a late start means the best is over. Even in the twilight years, there can be brilliance and contribution. A direct counter to the pessimism of 'the setting sun is near dusk.'. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Rooster.

Literally: "Don't say the mulberry and elm twilight is too late; the rosy clouds still fill the sky.."

The reading

Late light is not lesser light. The assumption that value decreases with age mistakes freshness for quality. Some of the most meaningful work in a life happens after the pressure of ambition has faded and only genuine purpose remains. A sky full of colour at dusk proves that endings can be as vivid as beginnings.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeshīcí 詩詞
• FocusLooks ahead
• Element火 Fire
• Zodiac tie雞 Year of the Rooster

Source 劉禹錫 (Liú Yǔxī), Tang dynasty poem《酬樂天詠老見示》

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 Adversity & Resilience, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Rooster, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.