未雨绸缪
Wèi yǔ chóu móu
"Bind the nest before the rain"
Character Analysis
Before (未) rain (雨) bind (绸) thatch/mulberry (缪). The phrase originally referred to binding nests with mulberry bark before rain comes.
Meaning & Significance
This proverb emphasizes the importance of advance preparation. Rather than waiting for problems to arise and then scrambling to address them, we should anticipate challenges and prepare solutions in advance.
This beautiful proverb originates from the Book of Songs (诗经), China’s oldest existing collection of poetry, dating back to around 1000 BCE.
The Original Poem
The poem “Owl” (鸱鸮) contains these lines:
迨天之未阴雨，彻彼桑土，绸缪牖户。
“Before the sky clouds over with rain, strip the mulberry bark, and bind the nest securely.”
The poem is written from the perspective of a mother bird preparing her nest before the storm comes.
Usage Examples
Financial planning:
“年轻人应该未雨绸缪，早点开始存钱。” “Young people should prepare before the rain—start saving early.”
Career development:
“未雨绸缪，我要趁早学习新技能。” “Prepare before the rain—I should learn new skills early.”
Modern Applications
This proverb is frequently used in:
- Emergency preparedness: Planning for natural disasters
- Financial planning: Building savings and insurance
- Career development: Continuous learning and skill-building
- Health: Preventive care and healthy habits
Contrast with Western Thinking
While English has similar expressions like “save for a rainy day” or “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” the Chinese version is more poetic, evoking the image of a bird carefully binding its nest.
Related Sayings
- 居安思危 (Jū ān sī wēi) - “Think of danger in times of peace”
- 有备无患 (Yǒu bèi wú huàn) - “Preparedness prevents calamity”
- 防患于未然 (Fáng huàn yú wèi rán) - “Prevent trouble before it happens”