1. The work is accomplished by hard work but neglected by play; the success is achieved by thinking but destroyed by casualness. ——Han Yu of the Tang Dynasty, "Jin Xue Jie"

Vernacular interpretation: academics are specialized due to diligence, and are wasted due to play; virtues are achieved due to independent thinking, and corrupted due to following the custom.

2. If young people don’t work hard, old people will be sad. ——Liang Han Dynasty, Han Dynasty Yuefu's "Collection of Yuefu Poems·Long Song Xing"

Vernacular translation: If you don't work hard when you are young and strong, it will be useless to be sad when you are old.

3. Black-haired people don’t know how to study diligently early, and white-haired people regret studying late. ——Yan Zhenqing's "Encouragement to Study" in the Tang Dynasty

Vernacular translation: When I was young, I only knew how to play and didn't know how to study hard. When I get older, I regret why I didn't know how to study hard when I was young. ?

4. I advise you not to cherish your gold-threaded clothes, but to cherish your youth. If there are flowers, you must break them off. Don’t wait until there are no flowers. ——Anonymous "Golden Threaded Clothes" in the Tang Dynasty

Vernacular translation: I advise you not to cherish the luxurious golden threaded clothes, but I advise you to cherish your youth. When the flowers are blooming and it’s time to break them, you should hurry up and break them. Don’t wait until the flowers fade and only break an empty branch.

5. It is easier for a young person to learn than to become an old man, so you should not waste an inch of time. ——Zhu Xi's "Occasionally"

Vernacular translation: The days of youth are easy to pass away, but it is difficult to succeed in learning, so every inch of time must be cherished and not easily let go.