十年树木，百年树人
Shí nián shù mù, bǎi nián shù rén
"It takes ten years to grow trees, but a hundred years to rear people"
Character Analysis
Ten (十) years (年) plant (树) trees (木), hundred (百) years (年) plant (树) people (人). The verb 树 means to cultivate or establish.
Meaning & Significance
This profound proverb emphasizes that while nurturing nature (trees) takes time, nurturing human character and education takes even longer. It reflects the Chinese cultural emphasis on education as a long-term investment that requires patience, dedication, and generational commitment.
Historical Origin
Modern Usage
Commonly used in educational contexts, graduation speeches, and when discussing the importance of patience in parenting and teaching.
This proverb is one of the most quoted sayings about education in Chinese culture. Its wisdom extends far beyond the classroom, offering life lessons about patience, investment in the future, and the value of nurturing.
Origin & Historical Context
The proverb originates from the Guanzi (管子), an ancient Chinese political and philosophical text attributed to Guan Zhong, a famous chancellor of the State of Qi during the Spring and Autumn Period. The full passage reads:
“一年之计，莫如树谷；十年之计，莫如树木；终身之计，莫如树人。”
“For a one-year plan, nothing is better than planting grain; for a ten-year plan, nothing is better than planting trees; for a lifelong plan, nothing is better than nurturing people.”
Modern Applications
In Education:
“十年树木，百年树人，我们要耐心培养下一代。” “It takes ten years to grow trees, a hundred to rear people; we must patiently nurture the next generation.”
In Business:
“人才培养是百年大计。” “Talent development is a hundred-year undertaking.”
Why Trees and People?
The metaphor is carefully chosen:
- Grain: Ready in one year (short-term gain)
- Trees: Ready in ten years (medium-term investment)
- People: A lifetime commitment (long-term legacy)
This progression shows that the most valuable things require the most patience.
Cultural Significance
This proverb reflects core Chinese values:
- Long-term thinking over short-term gains
- Education as society’s most important investment
- Intergenerational responsibility - what we teach today shapes the future