Suī yǒu zhìhuì, bùrú chéngshì; suī yǒu zījī, bùrú dài shí.

雖有智慧不如乘勢, 雖有鎡基不如待時。

Lit Although [one] has intelligence, [it is] not as good as seizing the right moment; although one has a hoe, [it is] not as good as [plowing] at the right time.

Fig Timing is the most important element in success.

Note [Cf. Mencius, Mèngzǐ: Gōng Sūn Chǒu, Shàng; note: zījī means “a hoe.”]

Topics Gōng Sūn Chǒu, Shàng INTELLIGENCE Mencius SUCCESS TIMING