書shū山shān有yǒu路lù勤qín為wéi徑jìng,，學xué海hǎi無wú涯yá苦kǔ作zuò舟zhōu

What does 書山有路勤為徑，學海無涯苦作舟 (shū shān yǒu lù qín wéi jìng, xué hǎi wú yá kǔ zuò zhōu) mean?

書山有路勤為徑，學海無涯苦作舟 (shū shān yǒu lù qín wéi jìng, xué hǎi wú yá kǔ zuò zhōu) is a line of classical verse (shīcí 詩詞). Word for word it reads "On the mountain of books, diligence is the path; on the boundless sea of learning, hardship is the boat." In use it means: There are no shortcuts to scholarship. Diligent effort is the only reliable path up the mountain of knowledge, and enduring hardship is the only vessel that crosses the vast sea of learning. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Water note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Ox.

Literally: "On the mountain of books, diligence is the path; on the boundless sea of learning, hardship is the boat.."

The reading

The student who complains of difficulty has at least begun the climb. No sea was ever crossed by those who refused to row. Hardship in study is not a flaw in the system but the nature of all worthwhile things. The path and the boat are not given but built by the one who walks and sails.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeshīcí 詩詞
• FocusPresent-minded
• Element水 Water
• Zodiac tie牛 Year of the Ox

Source Attributed to Hán Yù (韓愈), Táng Dynasty

Sits beside

Keep reading

Return to the Proverb Pond to draw another of the eighty-seven, or hear one read aloud. Read the rest of its chapter in Perseverance & the Long Road, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Ox, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Tiger.