臨渴掘井

Based on the Annals of Master Yan:

溺而後問隊，迷而後問路，譬之猶臨難而遽鑄兵，臨噎而遽掘井，雖速亦無及已。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

---

溺而后问队，迷而后问路，譬之犹临难而遽铸兵，临噎而遽掘井，虽速亦无及已。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Annals of Master Yan, c. 3^rd century BCE

Nì érhòu wèn suì, mí érhòu wèn lù, pì zhī yóu línnàn ér jù zhùbīng, lín yē ér jù juéjǐng, suī sù yì wú jí yǐ.

To ask the way after drowning and to ask for directions after getting lost is like, for example, quickly making weapons when facing a disaster or quickly digging a well when choking; though fast, it is too late.

臨渴掘井

1. (figurative) to fail to make a timely preparation and look for a solution at the last minute

   • 宜未雨而綢繆，毋臨渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     宜未雨而绸缪，毋临渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: Zhu Yongchun, Zhu Zi's Family Maxims, 17^th century CE

     Yí wèi yǔ ér chóumóu, wú lín kě ér jué jǐng.

     One should, when it is not yet raining, bind tightly the window. One should not wait until one is thirsty to dig a well.
     i.e. One should prepare before it is too late.

• 未雨綢繆／未雨绸缪 (wèiyǔchóumóu)