Bèn rén xiān qǐshēn; bèn niǎo zǎo chū lín.

笨人先起身, 笨鳥早出林。

Lit A slow-witted person [has to] get up earlier, [just as a] clumsy bird [has to] fly out of the woods earlier.

Fig People of little competence have to start working earlier than others.

Note [Usually said self-deprecatingly to explain why one needs to start early; see the more common bèn niǎo xiān fēi just above.]

Topics COMPETENCE EARLINESS MODESTY PREPARATION TIMING