Act at the First Sign, Lest the Moment Slip Away
Change often begins in the smallest of signs. The wise discern these early signals and act without delay, for opportunity is fleeting and waits for no one.
Consider the Tang poet Meng Haoran. At forty, he traveled to the capital, where his poetry amazed all who heard it. One day, his friend Wang Wei invited him to the imperial chambers. Suddenly, the emperor arrived. In a panic, Meng hid under the bed. A golden chance to rise—lost in an instant. He never again received the emperor’s favor.
Opportunities arise every day, yet they vanish just as quickly. To seize them, we must be alert, prepared, and ready to act—not tomorrow, but now.