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)

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