任重道远
- Literal
- the burden is heavy and the road is long
- Figurative
- To carry a heavy responsibility with a long road still ahead; the task is weighty and much effort and time remain before it is achieved.
Where does 任重道远 come from?
The phrase comes from Confucius's Analects (the book "Tai Bo"), in the words of his disciple Zengzi. He said: "A scholar cannot but be broad-minded and resolute, for his burden is heavy and his road is long" (士不可以不弘毅，任重而道远). Zengzi added that such a person takes benevolence (仁) as his own responsibility —is that not an immense burden?— and lays it down only at death —is that not an endless road? It is not a narrative tale but a moral maxim describing the lifelong duty of a person of integrity faced with a great mission.
Source (出处): 《论语·泰伯》
How is 任重道远 used? Two examples
- 我们刚刚开始，前面任重道远，大家都要努力。
We have only just begun; a heavy responsibility and a long road lie ahead, so everyone must work hard.
- 保护环境任重道远，需要每个人的参与。
Protecting the environment is a heavy responsibility with a long road ahead, and it needs everyone's participation.
In Wanyu, all 400 chengyu have audio on every sentence, and you can save them to your decks and review them with spaced repetition. Free.
