To know the road ahead, ask those coming back

Meaning: Learn from people with experience before embarking on an unfamiliar path.

Origin: Chinese proverb attributed to ancient Chinese philosophical tradition.

Translations

French: Pour connaître la route qui s'ouvre, demandez à ceux qui reviennent (literally: To know the road ahead, ask those who are returning)
Spanish: Para conocer el camino por delante, pregunta a quienes regresan (literally: To know the road ahead, ask those who return)
Japanese: 前途を知るには、帰ってくる人に聞け (Zento wo shiru niwa, kaette kuru hito ni kike) (literally: To know what lies ahead, ask those who have returned)

The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists — Flexibility and adaptability are greater strengths than rigid resistance.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear — Learning happens when one is truly open and prepared to receive knowledge.
He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask remains a fool forever — Admitting ignorance and seeking knowledge is always wiser than pretending to understand.
Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped — Focus on the root cause of a problem rather than just its consequence.
He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything — Good health is the foundation upon which all other good things in life are built.
Water finds its own level — People and things naturally settle into their proper place over time.

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