Pinyin: Hàn zé zī zhōu, shuǐ zé zī chē.
Translation: “Invest in boats during droughts; stock carts during floods.”
Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)
Explanation: Anticipates future scarcity through contrarian preparation.
Prepare boats in droughts, carts in rains—anticipate scarcity.（早则备舟，雨则备车，以待乏也。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers
Wealth thrives when producers are many, consumers few.（生财有大道，生之者众，食之者寡。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers
Avoid hoarding currency; never cling to inflated prices.（无息币，无敢居贵。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers
Observe celestial cycles, measure earthly benefits—wealth follows.（察天时，量地利，则财用足。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers
Pursue profit where it flows; adapt to shifting trends.（逐利而居，因势而变。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers
Acquire what others discard; supply what others seek.（人弃我取，人取我与。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers
Assess surplus and scarcity to discern value.——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers
To accumulate wealth: perfect goods, avoid idle currency.——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makersPrepare boats in droughts, carts in rains—anticipate scarcity.（早则备舟，雨则备车，以待乏也。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15Wealth thrives when producers are many, consumers few.（生财有大道，生之者众，食之者寡。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15Avoid hoarding currency; never cling to inflated prices.（无息币，无敢居贵。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15Observe celestial cycles, measure earthly benefits—wealth follows.（察天时，量地利，则财用足。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15Pursue profit where it flows; adapt to shifting trends.（逐利而居，因势而变。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15Acquire what others discard; supply what others seek.（人弃我取，人取我与。）——Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers2025-03-15