三思而後行

See also: 三思而后行

Chinese

to think carefully; to think twice; to contemplate
and; as well as; but (not)
and; as well as; but (not); yet (not); (shows causal relation); (shows change of state); (shows contrast)
 
 to carry out as a second step; to act later
trad. (三思而後行) 三思 而 後行
simp. (三思而后行) 三思 而 后行
Literally: “think three (several) times then act”.

Etymology

From the Analects, Book 5 (《論語·公冶長》):

季文子三思而後行。子聞之，曰：『再，斯可矣。』 [Traditional Chinese poetry, trad.]
季文子三思而后行。子闻之，曰：『再，斯可矣。』 [Traditional Chinese poetry, simp.]
From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
Jì Wén Zǐ sānsī ér hòuxíng. Zǐ wén zhī, yuē: ‘Zài, sī kě yǐ.’ [Pinyin]
Ji Wen thought thrice, and then acted. When the Master was informed of it, he said, "Twice may do."

Pronunciation

Proverb

三思而後行

  1. look before you leap

Synonyms

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