When the year turns cold, you learn the pine is last to fade.

What it means

In easy seasons every tree looks green. Hard times show who keeps their color. Character proves itself in winter, so be the pine when it gets cold.

The source

"When the year turns cold, you learn the pine is last to fade." Confucius said it in Analects 9.27. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"歲寒，然後知松柏之後凋也。"

Original Chinese, Analects 9.27. Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Confucius (551-479 BC). Teacher from the state of Lu whose conversations, collected by his students as the Analects, shaped two thousand years of Chinese ethics. He taught that character is built through learning, ritual and honest self-examination.

Questions

What does "When the year turns cold, you learn the pine is last to fade." mean?

In easy seasons every tree looks green. Hard times show who keeps their color. Character proves itself in winter, so be the pine when it gets cold.

Who said "When the year turns cold, you learn the pine is last to fade."?

Confucius (551-479 BC). Source: Analects 9.27.

What is the original Chinese?

歲寒，然後知松柏之後凋也。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "When the year turns cold, you learn the pine is last to fade." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"When the year turns cold, you learn the pine is last to fade." (Confucius, Analects 9.27, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/when-the-year-turns-cold-you-learn-the