任重而道远

任重而道遠
rènzhòngérdàoyuǎn
idiom #63,559

Meanings

  1. 1 the burden is heavy and the road is long
  2. 2 to shoulder heavy responsibility with a long way yet to go

Examples

Fǎn fǔ gōngzuò rènzhòng'érdàoyuǎn, bùnéng sōngxiè.
Anti-corruption work carries heavy responsibility and a long road ahead — we cannot slacken.
Jiànshè shēngtài wénmíng rènzhòng'érdàoyuǎn, xūyào jǐ dài rén de nǔlì.
Building an ecological civilization is a heavy, long-term responsibility requiring efforts across generations.

Tips

history
From the Analects (《论语·》), where Zengzi says: 不可以为己任死而后已? — 'A scholar must be resolute and steadfast, for his burden is heavy and his road is long. He takes benevolence as his burden — is it not heavy? Only at death does he stop — is that not long?' Often shortened to 任重道远.
usage
Very common in political speeches, editorials, and formal writing about long-term missions (reform, development, education). The shorter 任重道远 is equally common.

Stroke Order

rèn
zhòng
ér
dào
yuǎn