不听老人言，吃亏在眼前

• 不(no; not; negation)ASSOCIATIVE

A bird flying swiftly upward and never willing to return represents the meaning of swift and unyielding.

• 口(mouth; opening)RADICAL
• 斤(axe)PHONETIC

Using your mouth to listen to the sound of an axe chopping a tree echoing loudly.

• 耂(old person; elderly (pictographic variant))RADICAL
• 匕(spoon; curved)ASSOCIATIVE

An old person with a hunched back curved like a spoon is the image of this character.

• 人(person; human (pictographic))ASSOCIATIVE

The character 人 depicts a person standing with legs spread wide apart for stability.

• 口(mouth; opening)RADICAL
• 乞(beg for food; ask for food)PHONETIC

An open mouth asking for food is the daily act of eating and drinking.

• 二(two; number two)RADICAL
• ？(curved stroke below indicating deficiency)ASSOCIATIVE

Two horizontal lines with a missing piece symbolize deficiency and loss.

• 才(talent; ability (for sound))PHONETIC
• 土(earth; soil; land)RADICAL

To exist is to cling tightly to the patch of earth beneath your feet.

• 目(eye)RADICAL
• 艮(hard; stop)PHONO-SEMANTIC

Two eyes looking straight ahead, stubborn and resolute like the character for "firm."

• 刖(chop off leg (punishment))RADICAL
• 丷(two strokes indicating progress)ASSOCIATIVE
• 一(one; foundation)ASSOCIATIVE

Ahead lies the path we step forward on, overcoming all obstacles and penalties to advance.