铁杵磨成针
“Grinding an iron rod into a needle.”
With enough patience and persistence, even the hardest task can be completed.
— Traditional China Wisdom, China
Source: Folk legend of Li Bai's youth, recorded in Fangyu Shenglan gazetteer, Song dynasty
More Proverbs from China
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Great undertakings are accomplished by starting with a single small action.
Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.
Study and reflection must go together to gain true understanding.
Do not do to others what you would not want done to yourself.
Treat others with the same consideration you would wish for yourself.
When the old frontiersman lost his horse, who could know it was not a blessing?
Apparent misfortune may turn out to be good luck, and vice versa.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.
Thorough knowledge of both sides ensures success in any conflict.
Among any three people walking together, one can surely be my teacher.
There is something to learn from everyone around you.