“Continuously dripping water eventually penetrates a large stone,” an ancient Chinese saying tells us. In other words, we shouldn’t dismiss actions that appear small or insignificant, as they can result in big effects over time. Great deeds are achieved by modest but continuous efforts. Likewise, grand plans can be disrupted by the growth and accumulation of slight mistakes.
China’s 5,000-year history is filled with meaningful stories of how small actions—positive or negative—ultimately led to big changes. We begin with the story of a young man eager to take on the world before learning to take care of his own house.
