The first question most people that have seen the shirt I'm selling ask is, "What does it mean?" It's a totally valid question. No one (in the U.S.) wants to wear a shirt that could easily be blatant swearing, foolish nonsense, or worse, political jargon. (All of these I've seen in China on shirts written in English, by the way). That being said, it is high time I share the meaning of the "Read Between the Strokes" shirt.
三更灯火
五更鸡
是男儿读书时
黑发不知勤学早
白首方悔读书迟
From the dead of the night until dawn
is the time for a man to study
Starting early, a boy doesn't realize it's hard work
The old man regrets studying too late
Now that you know what the shirt means, does it carry more significance to you? Some people I've talked to say knowing the translation makes it more philosophical, which suits them. What does it mean to you?
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