We must sow before we reap.

Sowing takes place before reaping.

We must give before we get.

We cannnot expect the fireplace to give us heat

before we put in the fuel.

我们必须先播种再收割，

播种在收割之前。

我们必须先给予再索取，

我们不能在放入燃料前就希望得到热量。