Zhìchéng (suǒ zhì), jīn shí wéi kāi.*

至誠(所至), 金石為開。

Lit (Whenever [there is]) sincerity, [even] metals [and] stones [can] be opened up.

Fig No difficulty is insurmountable if one is sincere.

Note [Note: jīnshí, (lit) “metal and stone,” is a literary expression symbolizing hardness; jīnshí-wéikāi, “sincerity can make metal and stone crack,” is used alone as a set phrase; see also jīngchéng suǒ zhì above.]

Topics DIFFICULTIES jīnshí-wéikāi literary expression SINCERITY