Bù tú jīnnián zhú, dàn tú láinián sǔn.

不圖今年竹, 但圖來年筍。

Lit Don't [just] think of this year's bamboo, but [rather] think of next year's bamboo shoots [which are eaten in winter and spring].

Fig Think about long-term benefits rather than immediate gains.

Note [This colloquial suyu expression is often used with the understood force of a proverb.]

Topics LONG-TERM PLANNING suyu TIMING