8 Chinese Idioms About Persistence - Water Wears Through Stone

Unshakeable despite adversity

Literal: Bend hundred times never yield

Dating to the Warring States period, this idiom describes bamboo that bends a hundred (百) times (折) but never (不) yields (挠). The imagery comes from ancient observations of bamboo groves surviving severe storms by bending rather than breaking. The metaphor gained particular significance during the T...

Persistence achieves anything

Literal: Water drops pierce stone

This idiom captures the power of persistence through the image of water (水) drops (滴) piercing (穿) stone (石). First documented in Han Dynasty texts, it was inspired by observations of natural cave formations created by centuries of dripping water. The imagery gained prominence during the Tang Dynast...

Extremes lead to reversal

Literal: Things at extreme reverse

This idiom captures a fundamental principle of Chinese philosophy: when things (物) reach their extreme (极), they inevitably (必) reverse (反). First articulated in the I Ching, it reflects observations of natural cycles like the changing seasons. During the Warring States period, strategists applied t...

Advantage from close connections

Literal: Pavilion close to water

First appearing in Tang Dynasty poetry, this idiom describes pavilions (楼台) close (近) to water (水), referring to their advantageous position to catch the moon's reflection first. The phrase gained wider usage during the Song Dynasty as a metaphor for privileged access or favorable positioning. Origi...

Progress needs constant effort

Literal: Boat moving against current

This idiom describes a boat (舟) moving (行) against (逆) the current (水), originally appearing in Tang Dynasty texts discussing persistence in difficult endeavors. The metaphor draws from the experience of river traders who understood that stopping meant drifting backward. During the Song Dynasty, it ...

Work harder to compensate

Literal: Slow bird flies first

This disarmingly simple idiom emerged from folk wisdom observing that slow (笨) birds (鸟) must start first (先飞) to reach their destination with the flock. During the Song Dynasty, it gained prominence in educational texts as encouragement for students who weren't naturally gifted. The imagery challen...

Success comes naturally

Literal: Water comes channel forms

Drawing from ancient Chinese irrigation practices, this idiom captures how water (水) flowing consistently will naturally create its channel (渠). First appearing in Tang Dynasty agricultural texts, it reflected the observation that steady water flow would eventually carve its path through even the ha...

Success after long preparation

Literal: Thick accumulation thin launch

This idiom compares patient accumulation (积) of deep (厚) knowledge with the eventual release (发) that requires minimal (薄) effort. It emerged during the Tang Dynasty literary circles, where scholars emphasized sustained preparation over hasty creation. Historical accounts describe how poet Du Fu spe...