Analects 8.7 · Tai Bo
“The burden is heavy, and the road is long.”
Meaning, context, and how to apply it today
任重而道遠 (rèn zhòng ér dào yuǎn) means “The burden is heavy, and the road is long.” It is a passage from the Analects of Confucius, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 7.
任重而道遠
- Pinyin
- rèn zhòng ér dào yuǎn
- Translation
- The burden is heavy, and the road is long.
- Source
- Analects, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 7
What does this passage mean?
These words of Zengzi in Tai Bo continue into the following passage. The heavy burden and long road express the gravity of a scholar-official’s calling. Humaneness is the task, so the burden is heavy; the task ends only with death, so the road is long. The saying conveys a willingness to accept both great responsibility and a lifelong journey.
How can we apply it today?
Life is a marathon rather than a sprint. Instead of rising and falling with immediate results, we must move steadily toward a distant goal. A heavy burden is not necessarily a reason to quit; meaningful responsibility often requires a willingness to carry it. Patience and perseverance are indispensable for important work in any field. The person who keeps walking under a heavy burden eventually arrives.
Questions to reflect on
- ·What is the heavy burden in your life?
- ·Do you have the patience to endure a long journey?
- ·What keeps you walking when you want to give up?
Character-by-character breakdown
| Character | Pinyin | Meaning | Strokes | Radical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 任 | rèn | entrust | 6 | 人 (person) |
| 重 | zhòng | heavy | 9 | 里 (village) |
| 而 | ér | and; but | 6 | 而 (and) |
| 道 | dào | road | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
| 遠 | yuǎn | far | 13 | 辵 (walk) |
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does “The burden is heavy, and the road is long” mean?
任重而道遠 (rèn zhòng ér dào yuǎn) means “The burden is heavy, and the road is long.” It comes from the Analects, Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 7.
Q. Where does this passage appear in the Analects?
It is Analects 8.7: Book 8 (Tai Bo), Chapter 7.
Q. How can this teaching be applied today?
Life is a marathon rather than a sprint.Instead of rising and falling with immediate results, we must move steadily toward a distant goal.