#gold embroidered garments

(Here’s another poem that warns against procrastination.  It is very similar to “Song of Tomorrows” (《明日歌》) in terms of meaning in the second half.  A link to the translation for that poem here.)

Gold Embroidered Garment

By Unknown Poet (Tang dynasty, between 7th to 10th century)

A caution to thee against the gold embroidered garments (1),

And an advice to value thy youthful years.

Cut the flowers whilst they are still blooming,

For when they wither only bare stems shall remain.

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Notes:

1. Gold embroidered garments:  a metaphor for riches, or an affluent lifestyle.

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Original Text (Traditional Chinese):

《金縷衣》

[唐] 佚名

勸君莫惜金縷衣，勸君惜取少年時。

花開堪折直須折，莫待無花空折枝。