📖 Meaning
Whatever you do, prior preparation leads to success, while lack of preparation leads to failure. It emphasizes the importance of planning ahead before undertaking any task. The full classical formulation adds that without preparation, one's efforts will fall apart.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the 'Zhongyong' (Doctrine of the Mean) chapter of the 'Liji' (Book of Rites), a foundational Confucian text compiled during the Han dynasty. The original passage states that in all things, preparation leads to success while lack of preparation leads to ruin. The Doctrine of the Mean, traditionally attributed to Zisi (the grandson of Confucius), emphasizes moderation and thoroughness in conduct. This particular maxim became a widely cited principle urging foresight and readiness in both governance and daily affairs.
💡 Example Usage
事预则立，团队在项目初期就制定了详尽的执行方案。
Preparation brings success; the team drew up a detailed execution plan at the very start of the project.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 事预则立
- Pinyin: shì yù zé lì
- Literal Translation: matter, prepare, then, succeed
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4