--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Great Vessel takes long to complete." description: "\"The Great Vessel takes long to complete.\" — Laozi" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/laozi-147_long_the-great-vessel-takes-long-to-complete_2857247.jpg" --- # The Great Vessel takes long to complete. ![“The Great Vessel takes long to complete.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/laozi-147_long_the-great-vessel-takes-long-to-complete_2857247.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/laozi-147_long_the-great-vessel-takes-long-to-complete_2857247.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/147/laozi-147_long_the-great-vessel-takes-long-to-complete_2857247.jpg) > “The Great Vessel takes long to complete.” [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The metaphor suggests that achieving a grand goal requires patience and gradual effort over time. **In simple terms:** Big projects need time and patience. Key Takeaway Embrace patience for long‑term success. Themes patience process goals Mood reflective steady Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - building a business - learning a skill - writing a novel - training for a marathon Key Concepts Taoism incremental progress Questions to Reflect On - What long‑term goal are you nurturing? - How can you celebrate small milestones? A Different Perspective Progress can be slow and may feel stagnant without visible milestones. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Great Vessel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-vessel-3835991/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long Complete](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-complete-3835992/) [Takes Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/takes-long/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [Vessel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vessel/) [Vessel Takes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vessel-takes-3835990/) ## Related quotes > [The greatest vessel takes long to complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-greatest-vessel-takes-long-to-complete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The relic from before birth Enters one's heart one day. Be as careful as if you were holding a full vessel, Be as gentle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-bu-er/the-relic-from-before-birth-enters-one-s-heart-one-day-be-as-careful/) [Sun Bu'er](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-bu-er/) > [The world is a sacred vessel that cannot be changed. He who changes it will destroy it. He who seizes it will lose it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-world-is-a-sacred-vessel-that-cannot-be-changed-he-who-changes-it/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Clay is fashioned into vessels; it is on their empty hollowness that their use depends. Doors and windows are cut out to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-fashioned-into-vessels-it-is-on-their-empty-hollowness-that/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [A vessel is formed from a lump of clay with care, however, it is the empty space within the vessel that makes it useful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-vessel-is-formed-from-a-lump-of-clay-with-care-however-it-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [We put thirty spokes to make a wheel: But it is on the hole in the center that the use of the cart hinges.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/we-put-thirty-spokes-to-make-a-wheel-but-it-is-on-the-hole-in-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. . . .…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/clay-is-moulded-to-make-a-vessel-but-the-utility-of-the-vessel-lies/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/people-take-death-lightly-they-expect-too-much-of-life-that-is-why/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) ## More by Laozi > [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? 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It's easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-klein/public-infrastructure-around-the-world-is-facing-unprecedented-stress/) [Naomi Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-klein/) > [The real world out there isn't nearly as nice as some people prefer it to be, so don't swallow everything your high-born teachers tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-real-world-out-there-isn-t-nearly-as-nice-as-some-people-prefer/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [I genuinely did not expect more than half our nation to choose to walk away from our long-term allies into the arms of our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-reade/i-genuinely-did-not-expect-more-than-half-our-nation-to-choose-to/) [Brian Reade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-reade/) > [Long before the 2016 presidential campaign, confidential sources had alerted me to longstanding misuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court system and the erosion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharyl-attkisson/long-before-the-2016-presidential-campaign-confidential-sources-had/) [Sharyl Attkisson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharyl-attkisson/) > [History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. 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