十年磨一剑
Shí nián mó yī jiàn
"Ten years to sharpen a sword"
Character Analysis
Ten (十) years (年) grind/polish (磨) one (一) sword (剑). The verb 磨 means to sharpen, polish, or hone through persistent effort.
Meaning & Significance
This proverb celebrates the value of patience, dedication, and long-term preparation. It suggests that true excellence requires years of unseen effort and that great achievements are built through persistent refinement over time.
This powerful proverb comes from a Tang Dynasty poem by Jia Dao (贾岛). The full line reads “十年磨一剑，霜刃未曾试” — “Ten years I have sharpened this sword; its frost-like blade has never been tested.”
The Original Poem
Jia Dao was known for his careful, meticulous approach to poetry. The poem Sword (剑客) reads:
十年磨一剑，霜刃未曾试。 今日把示君，谁有不平事？
“Ten years I’ve ground this sword, its frost edge never tested. Today I show it to you—who has a grievance to address?”
The poem speaks to preparation meeting opportunity—the years of silent work finally ready to make an impact.
Modern Applications
Academic pursuits:
“他在实验室十年磨一剑，终于取得了突破。” “He spent ten years sharpening his sword in the laboratory and finally achieved a breakthrough.”
Career development:
“十年磨一剑，现在的成功不是偶然的。” “Ten years of preparation—today’s success is no accident.”
Cultural Philosophy
This proverb reflects the Chinese appreciation for craftsmanship and the long view. Unlike cultures that celebrate overnight success, Chinese wisdom often honors the patient, invisible work that precedes achievement.
Related Sayings
- 台上一分钟，台下十年功 (Tái shàng yī fēn zhōng, tái xià shí nián gōng) - “One minute on stage, ten years of practice off stage”
- 铁杵磨成针 (Tiě chǔ mó chéng zhēn) - “Grinding an iron pestle into a needle”