How to Read “継続は力なり”
Keizoku wa chikara nari
Meaning of “継続は力なり”
“Continuation is power” means that by continuing anything without giving up halfway, it will eventually become a great force and enable you to achieve your goals.
This proverb teaches the value of steadily continuing rather than temporary effort or talent. It tells us that no matter how small the accumulation, by continuing it, we can surely grow and ultimately produce great results. It is commonly used when encouraging someone who is about to give up on something or when conveying the importance of long-term commitment.
The reason for using this expression is to help people recognize the value of continuation in the face of the inherent human tendency to “want to give up.” It helps us realize that there is meaning in continuing itself, even when visible results don’t appear immediately. Even today, it is cherished as a universal teaching that applies to all fields including learning, sports, work, and human relationships.
Origin and Etymology
Regarding the origin of “Continuation is power,” the current situation is that no clear documentary evidence remains. No reliable records have been found about when this proverb began to be used or who first said it.
However, judging from the structure of the phrase, it is considered likely to be a relatively new proverb that emerged after the Meiji period. The expression format “○○ is power” has been pointed out as possibly influenced by or translated from Western maxims, with particular attention to its similarity to Francis Bacon’s famous phrase “Knowledge is power.”
Also, this proverb is thought to have become widely known from the post-war reconstruction period through the high economic growth period. This era strongly held the values that individual effort and continuous commitment led to the development of society as a whole, and such historical background likely supported the spread of this phrase.
It came to be frequently used in educational settings and companies, and has now become one of the most familiar proverbs for Japanese people. Despite being a relatively new phrase, it perfectly matched the Japanese national character of diligence and perseverance, which is why it became established in such a short time.
Usage Examples
- Daily English study is tough, but continuation is power, so let’s keep trying
- Piano practice is mundane, but since continuation is power, I should definitely improve
Modern Interpretation
In modern society, “Continuation is power” has taken on new meanings. In the information age, the speed of change has accelerated, and the very concept of “continuation” is being questioned.
Traditional continuation meant “continuing the same thing for a long time,” but in modern times, flexible continuation is required, such as “continuing the attitude of learning” and “continuing to adapt to change.” For example, programmers need not only to master specific languages but also the continuity to keep learning new technologies. YouTubers and influencers also find that the key to success is not repeating the same content but continuing to evolve according to their audience’s needs.
Also, with the spread of social media, “visualization of continuation” has progressed. Learning record apps, exercise records, reading records, and other ways of quantifying and graphing continuation have made maintaining motivation easier than before. On the other hand, a new problem called “continuation fatigue” has emerged. The pressure of daily posting and daily updates often becomes stress instead.
Furthermore, in modern times, “high-quality continuation” has come to be emphasized. Not just continuing for a long time, but continuation that is conscious of efficiency and results is required, and sometimes “the courage to quit” is recognized as equally important as continuation. In this way, while being a classical proverb, it is being given new life through modern interpretation.
When AI Hears This
Behind “persistence is power” lies the mathematical principle of compound interest. Even just 1% growth per day, when continued for 365 days, equals 1.01 to the 365th power, resulting in approximately 37.8 times improvement. Conversely, slacking off by just 1% each day gives us 0.99 to the 365th power, which equals 0.026—dropping to less than 3% of the original level. This creates a staggering difference of over 1,400 times.
What’s even more remarkable is that this effect is non-linear. In the first 100 days, 1.01 to the 100th power only reaches about 2.7 times, but after surpassing 200 days, the acceleration becomes dramatic. This is the true nature of “the magic of persistence” and explains why so many people give up along the way.
Real research confirms this compound effect in skill acquisition. When comparing piano students who practiced 30 minutes daily for a year versus those who practiced 3 hours on weekends, despite identical total hours, the daily practitioners showed overwhelmingly faster improvement. This stems from the compound effect of neural pathways being gradually strengthened each day in the brain.
The same applies to language learning—people who memorize 10 words daily have higher retention rates than those who cram 70 words on weekends. The compound effect of persistence generates not just temporal accumulation, but simultaneous quality enhancement as well.
Lessons for Today
What “Continuation is power” teaches modern people might be the courage not to seek perfection too much. We often tend to think of continuation as something to be done “without missing a single day” and “perfectly.” However, what is truly important is the power to start walking again, even if we stop along the way or our pace slows down.
In modern society, there is a tendency to rush for results too much. When we see others’ success on social media, our own progress may seem slow. But there is real value in continuing at your own pace. Even small steps, when accumulated, will surely move you forward.
Also, while continuation may seem like solitary work, it actually deepens relationships with people around you. Companions working toward the same goal, family members watching over your efforts – the bonds with such people are also nurtured during the process of continuation and are an important part of the “power.”
It’s okay if there’s something you couldn’t do today. You can start again tomorrow. Continuation is power. These words are not for perfect people, but for you who continue walking while feeling lost.
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