臨渴掘井

Based on the Annals of Master Yan:

溺而後問隊，迷而後問路，譬之猶臨難而遽鑄兵，臨噎而遽掘井，雖速亦無及已。 [Classical Chinese, trad.]

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溺而后问队，迷而后问路，譬之犹临难而遽铸兵，临噎而遽掘井，虽速亦无及已。 [Classical Chinese, simp.]

From: Annals of Master Yan, c. 3^rd century BCE

Nì érhòu wèn suì, mí érhòu wèn lù, pì zhī yóu línnàn ér jù zhùbīng, lín yē ér jù juéjǐng, suī sù yì wú jí yǐ. [Pinyin]

To ask the way after drowning and to ask for directions after getting lost is like, for example, quickly making weapons when facing a disaster or quickly digging a well when choking; though fast, it is too late.

臨渴掘井

1. (figurative) to fail to make a timely preparation and look for a solution at the last minute

   • 宜未雨而綢繆，毋臨渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, trad.]
     宜未雨而绸缪，毋临渴而掘井。 [Literary Chinese, simp.]

     From: Zhu Yongchun, Zhu Zi's Family Maxims, 17^th century CE

     Yí wèi yǔ ér chóumóu, wú lín kě ér jué jǐng. [Pinyin]

     One should, when it is not yet raining, bind tightly the window. One should not wait until one is thirsty to dig a well.
     i.e. One should prepare before it is too late.

• 未雨綢繆／未雨绸缪 (wèiyǔchóumóu)