望秋先零wàng qiū xiān língwither before the coming of autumn—be too weak to stand the wind and frost; cannot stand the severe test
❍ 顾对曰： “松柏之姿，凌霜犹茂，臣蒲柳之质，～，受命之异也。” (刘义庆《世说新语·言语》) Ku replied: “Your Majesty have the nature of pines and cypresses that are still more luxuriant amid the ice and frost,while I have the character of rushes and willows that drop their leaves as they approach the autumn. It’s only the difference in the fate we’ve each received. 望秋先零wànɡ qiū xiān línɡ零：凋零。看到秋天来了，就先枯萎凋落了。比喻身体衰弱，未老先衰。也比喻经不起考验。show the feebleness of old age while still young, cannot stand the severe test |