If I knew I should die tomorrow, I would plant a tree today.

The saying expresses a long-view ethic: even under the shadow of imminent death, one should invest in acts whose benefits will outlast the self. Planting a tree symbolizes patient, future-oriented labor—work that may never be enjoyed by the planter but will shelter and nourish others. As a moral maxim it counters despair and short-termism, implying that meaning is found in stewardship and continuity rather than personal payoff. It is often invoked to praise civic-mindedness, philanthropy, and environmental responsibility, framing hope as something enacted through practical, constructive deeds.