‘Xiān yōu hòu lè’ (worry first, rejoice later) is a classical Confucian ideal expressing moral responsibility and selfless concern for others before personal comfort. Literally, 先 means 'first', 忧 means 'to worry or grieve', 后 means 'after' or 'later', and 乐 means 'joy' or 'delight'. Together, the phrase embodies the principle that virtuous people—especially officials and scholars—should prioritize societal welfare and hardship over their own happiness, only allowing themselves joy after problems are resolved and the people are at peace.

This expression originates from Fan Zhongyan’s famous essay 'Yueyang Lou Ji' (Record of Yueyang Tower), where he praises statesmen who put public concerns above private interests. It is commonly used in formal writing, political discourse, education, and moral exhortations—not in casual speech—and carries strong ethical weight, evoking ideals of integrity, sacrifice, and leadership.