- English translation
When the longing for some fun comes over you, don't let the moment get away.
- Literal wording
Take care, lest you let the merriment slip by, if it has gripped you.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying is a firm warning, signalled by its opening word (watch out, not 'your feeling'), against letting merriment pass you by once real desire for it has risen within you; the key noun, often read as 'luck', here means amusement, not fortune. When the heart is set on a pleasure, that moment should be used, not postponed.
Behind the advice lies an awareness that appetite and opportunity are both fragile. Something may soon happen that drains the wish away entirely, so delight is best taken while the longing still burns.
- When it is used
Suitable when someone hesitates over a pleasure they genuinely want, such as an outing or celebration. It nudges them to go ahead now, since the wish may fade or circumstances may change later. It is not a warning against indulgence.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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