Get drunk while wine is still available today (今朝有酒今朝醉)|今朝有酒今朝醉

今朝有酒今朝醉
Jīn zhāo yǒu jiǔ jīn zhāo zuì

Translation: Get drunk while wine is still available today.
Meaning: Live in the here and now, not worrying about the future.

Story
This proverb comes from a sentence from a poem written by Luo Yin, or Luo the Hermit (originally named Luo Heng), a famous poet of the Tang dynasty (618–907). As a prodigy and diligent student, he had been very aspiring and ambitious. His desire to serve the country only increased with his age. Unfortunately, luck was not on his side. At the time, China had an imperial civil service examination system to select the best people in the society to serve in the state bureaucracy. One had to pass the regional test before becoming eligible for the national examination. Twice did Luo Yin fail his regional exams despite his talent and knowledge. He was so disappointed and disheartened that he vowed not to seek fame or office any more. He changed his name and became a hermit. In his care-free solitude, he wrote:

Sing when you win; give up when you lose,
Time goes by despite hatred and worries,
Get drunk while wine is still available,
Then worry about tomorrow when it comes.

This is one of a thousand or so poems he wrote, that have survived until today.

This proverb is now used as a critique of those who seek only short-term pleasures while giving up their long-term goals in life.

Vocabulary

Example

今天，很多人没有了信仰，过着今朝有酒今朝醉的生活，真叫人担心。
It is really worrying that nowadays, many people have lost their beliefs and are living a life that satisfies only their short-term pleasures.