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A classical Chinese line for “Persistence can overcome anything”

These matches come from a curated corpus of real Chinese poetry and philosophy. The source line is fixed; the English wording is provided to make its meaning accessible.

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3 source-verified results
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锲而舍之，朽木不折；锲而不舍，金石可镂。

Qiè ér shě zhī, xiǔ mù bù zhé; qiè ér bù shě, jīn shí kě lòu.

Close English reading

If you carve and give up, even rotten wood will not break; if you carve without stopping, metal and stone can be engraved.

Plain meaningPersistence makes even the hardest goal yield.

Source
Xunzi· Warring States period · Encouraging Learning
Xunzi
Why it fitsThe contrast shows that consistency matters more than a dramatic beginning.
Original context and translation note
锲而舍之，朽木不折；锲而不舍，金石可镂。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

会当凌绝顶，一览众山小。

Huì dāng líng jué dǐng, yī lǎn zhòng shān xiǎo.

Close English reading

I will surely climb to the highest summit and see all the other mountains become small.

Plain meaningAim for the summit and gain the wider view that effort makes possible.

Source
Du Fu· Tang dynasty · Gazing at Mount Tai
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsThe future tense matters: the summit is a declared ambition, not an achievement already possessed.
Original context and translation note
荡胸生曾云，决眦入归鸟。会当凌绝顶，一览众山小。

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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✓ Verified sourceBilingual

长风破浪会有时，直挂云帆济沧海。

Cháng fēng pò làng huì yǒu shí, zhí guà yún fān jì cāng hǎi.

Close English reading

A time will come to ride the long wind and break the waves; I will set my cloudlike sail straight across the vast sea.

Plain meaningYour chance will come. Keep going toward the larger horizon.

Source
Li Bai· Tang dynasty · Hard Is the Way of the World, No. 1
Complete Tang Poems
Why it fitsIt holds hope after frustration without pretending the road has been easy.
Original context and translation note
行路难，行路难，多歧路，今安在？

English wording on Gu Ren Said is an original reading aid, not a claim that there is only one valid literary translation.

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Translation note: The English readings are original explanatory translations for this product. They are designed for clarity and source verification, not presented as definitive literary translations.

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Related themes

PerseveranceClassical Chinese lines about resilience, patient progress, courage after failure, and hope beyond hardship.LearningClassical Chinese teachings on steady study, reflection, practice, preparation, and learning from everyone.Travel & journeyClassical lines for departure, open roads, full sails, frontier landscapes, farewell, climbing, and the view from farther away.Ambition & successClassical lines about large ambitions, earned success, wider horizons, talent, opportunity, and the exhilaration of achievement.LifeVerified classical Chinese lines about enjoying the present, weathering change, and choosing what deserves your attention.

Original Chinese line, pinyin, a readable English explanation, and a traceable source—without inventing an ancient quotation.

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A Classical Chinese Line for “Persistence can overcome anything” | Gu Ren Said