Nìshuǐ-xíngzhōu, bù jìn zé tuì.

逆水行舟, 不進則退。

Lit [When] sailing against the current, [one] must forge ahead or be driven back.

Fig One must constantly forge ahead (in study, life, etc.), or one will fall behind.

Note [Often quoted by Mao Zedong; note: nìshuǐ-xíngzhōu is a chengyu meaning “to go against the current”; see also xué rú nìshuǐ below.]

Topics chengyu EFFORT Mao Zedong nìshuǐ-xíngzhōu PERSISTENCE SUCCESS