深海猫死浅海鱼亡
[shēn hăi māo sĭ qiăn hăi yú wáng]
Translates to 'The deep-sea cat dies and the shallow sea fish perish'. The unusual juxtaposition of marine and feline creatures creates a poetic expression of existential despair. The metaphor could imply how all living beings may face insurmountable odds regardless of where they are positioned in life.