📖 Meaning
Wanting to accomplish something too quickly actually prevents reaching the goal. It warns that excessive haste leads to mistakes and failure rather than success. The idiom advocates patience and a steady, methodical approach.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from the Analerta (Lunyu), chapter 'Zilu,' compiled by Confucius's disciples during the Pre-Qin period. When his disciple Zixia was about to assume office as a local magistrate, Confucius cautioned him not to rush for quick results or be distracted by petty gains. He explained that desiring speed prevents reaching the goal, just as chasing small profits ruins great endeavors. The teaching stresses patience and long-term vision in governance and in life.
💡 Example Usage
做学问要循序渐进，否则只会欲速不达。
Scholarship requires a steady, step-by-step approach; otherwise, haste only leads to failure.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 欲速不达
- Pinyin: yù sù bù dá
- Literal Translation: desire, speed, not, reach
- Category: Wisdom
- Characters: 4