有为者辟若掘井，掘井九仞而不及泉，犹为弃井也。
释义Explanation
孟子以掘井比喻做事。挖井的人即使挖得很深，只要没有挖到泉水就停了下来，这口井仍然是一口废井。它说明做任何事都要持之以恒、有始有终，否则前面的努力就会白费。功亏一篑与从未开始没有本质区别。无论是求学、修身还是开创事业，都必须坚持到目标实现，不能因为接近成功就松懈或放弃，否则再深的积累也会失去意义。
Mencius uses digging a well to illustrate perseverance. No matter how deep one has dug, stopping before reaching the spring means the well remains useless. Effort only has value if it is carried through to completion. This saying warns against giving up when success is near, and applies to study, self-cultivation, and any undertaking. The image is powerful: a well dug deep down is still a failure if it stops an inch from water, because it cannot provide water. True failure is not lack of ability, but abandoning the work one step short of the goal.
使用场景Usage
在当今快节奏的社会中，很多人努力学习一项技能、备考职业资格、创业或推进科研项目，投入了大量时间和精力，却在最困难的阶段选择放弃。他们离成功也许只差最后一步，却不知道泉水就在薄薄一层土下。这句话提醒我们：决定成败的往往不是天赋与努力，而是能否在临近突破时继续坚持下去，不因一时看不到成果就放弃。
In today's fast-paced world, many people invest years in mastering a skill, preparing for a professional exam, building a business, or advancing research—only to quit during the hardest phase. They may be one step away from success, unaware that water lies just beneath a thin layer of soil. This saying reminds us that what often determines success is not talent or effort alone, but the willingness to keep digging when the breakthrough is near, instead of abandoning the well.