一yī鼓gǔ作zuò氣qì，再zài而ér衰shuāi，三sān而ér竭jié

What does 一鼓作氣，再而衰，三而竭 (yī gǔ zuò qì zài ér shuāi sān ér jié) mean?

一鼓作氣，再而衰，三而竭 (yī gǔ zuò qì zài ér shuāi sān ér jié) is a folk proverb (yànyǔ 諺語). Word for word it reads "the first drum raises morale, the second weakens it, the third exhausts it." In use it means: Momentum peaks at the start; delayed action loses energy with each cycle of waiting. You reach for it when you want that idea in one breath, and the Fire note it carries is why we hand it to those born in the Year of the Dragon.

Literally: "the first drum raises morale, the second weakens it, the third exhausts it."

The reading

The first drumbeat moves the army forward. The second finds them uncertain. The third finds them tired. Momentum is perishable. The longer you wait after deciding to act, the less energy remains for the action. Strike when the drum is loudest. If you wait for the third beat, you will need twice the force to produce half the movement.

What kind of proverb it is

• Typeyànyǔ 諺語
• FocusLooks back
• Element火 Fire
• Zodiac tie龍 Year of the Dragon

Source Zuo Zhuan 左傳, Duke Zhuang Year 10 (莊公十年); Cao Gui's strategy

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 Courage & Decisive Action, or follow the years these lines belong to: Year of the Dragon, Year of the Rat, and Year of the Ox.