Accumulate the Small to Achieve the Great

Sekisho-idai (Accumulate the small to achieve the great).
Accumulate the small to make it great.

This is a saying by Ninomiya Sontoku (Ninomiya Kinjiro) that means by steadily accumulating small things, it will eventually lead to great results and development. If you want to accomplish great things, you must not neglect your daily small efforts.

Do not seek immediate results from continuing to work steadily every day. Just continue aimlessly, idly, and honestly.

After a year, you will bear fruit.
However, the fruit you bear in the first year will be very small.
Use that as seed rice, and by continuing to work steadily the following year as well, you will gradually expand your planting area.

The secret to success is that simple.
And whether you succeed or not, it is important to just continue aimlessly, idly, and honestly.

It was also written on the fortune I drew at the Hotoku Ninomiya Shrine in Odawara.

"Generally, ordinary people desire great things but neglect small things, worry about difficult tasks, and do not work on easy tasks. Therefore, they cannot accomplish great things."

However, it also said, "Do not lose sight of your purpose and means."