说苑/虞君問盆成子曰：「今工者久而巧，色者老而衰。

虞君問盆成子曰：「今工者久而巧，色者老而衰。

Eric Henry

Yujun once spoke with Pen Chengzi as follows: “These days one’s skills grow ever finer with time, but one’s appearance declines with age.

今人不及壯之時，益積心技之術，以備將衰之色，色者必盡乎老之前，知謀無以異乎幼之時。

Eric Henry

But people nowadays don’t use their time of youthful vigor to develop their knowledge and skills so as to be ready for the time when their physical appearance will decline.

可好之色，彬彬乎且盡，洋洋乎安託無能之軀哉？

Eric Henry

Their fine looks will all be gone before old age arrives, but their knowledge and skills will be no different than they were when they were little.

故有技者不累身而未嘗滅，而色不得以常茂。」

Eric Henry

Their youthful charm and perfection of appearance will all be gone, and they will pensively regret that thet they lack a secure haven for their useless bodies.

Eric Henry

From this one can see that those with skills remain free of trouble and meet with no mishap, whereas fine looks cannot flourish without change.