Zhòngtián fú/bù lí tiántóu; dúshū fú/bù lí àntóu.

種田弗/不離田頭, 讀書弗/不離案頭。

Lit A farmer never leaves [his] fields, nor a scholar his desk.

Fig One has to be diligent and persistent in one's work.

Note [From the Qing dynasty proverb collection Yuè Yàn, vol. 1 by Fan Yan.]

Topics DILIGENCE Fan Yan FARMERS PERSISTENCE Qing dynasty SCHOLARS Yuè_Yàn