📖 Meaning
Hesitant action yields no success. When one is full of doubt and indecision while taking action, achievements become impossible. It warns against overthinking and paralysis at the moment of execution.
📜 Origin Story
The phrase originates from the 'Book of Lord Shang' (商君书), a foundational Legalist text from the Warring States period. In the chapter on legal reform (更法), the statesman Shang Yang (商鞅) argues before Duke Xiao of Qin that sweeping institutional changes must not be delayed by indecision. He declares, 'I have heard that doubtful actions lead to no success, and doubtful undertakings achieve no merit,' urging the ruler to pursue reform decisively rather than endlessly weighing objections.
💡 Example Usage
创业最忌疑行无成，看准了方向就该果断出手。
In entrepreneurship, the greatest taboo is hesitating and achieving nothing; once the direction is clear, one should act decisively.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 疑行无成
- Pinyin: yí xíng wú chéng
- Literal Translation: doubt, act, no, success
- Category: Determination
- Characters: 4