The prosecution of learning may be compared to what may happen in raising a mound. If there want but one basket of earth to complete the work, and I stop, the stopping is my own work. It may be compared to throwing down the earth on the level ground. Though but one basketful is thrown at a time, the advancing with it is my own going forward.
譬如为山，未成一篑，止，吾止也；譬如平地，虽覆一篑，进，吾往也。
Source: The Analects, Zi Han IX, Chapter 19
Author: Confucius
