One must have great ambition and make tireless efforts to achieve success.

One must have great ambition and make tireless efforts to achieve success.

This belief comes from The Book of History. Either a country or an individual must have great ambition and make tireless efforts to achieve success. Without high aims, one cannot travel far, and without effort, one cannot succeed.

In his speech at the Indonesian Congress in October 2013, Xi Jinping used this ancient quotation to indicate the complementary relation of great ambition and hard work. He said: China has the confidence, conditions and capability to realize its goals. It also understands clearly that as the largest developing country, it faces many difficulties and challenges on its road ahead. To bring a good life to all the Chinese people, it has to make long-term, sustained efforts.

功崇惟志，业广惟勤

“功崇惟志，业广惟勤”，出自《尚书》，大意是取得伟大的功绩，在于志向远大；完成伟大的事业，在于工作勤奋。不管是国家要实现振兴，还是个人要成就事业，都必须具备两个条件，一为立志，二为勤勉。立志是前提，勤勉为保障，无志不足以行远，无勤则难以成事。

2013年10月，习近平在印度尼西亚国会的演讲中引用“功崇惟志，业广惟勤”，指出中国有信心、有条件、有能力实现自己的奋斗目标，同时也清醒地认识到，中国仍是世界上最大的发展中国家，在前进道路上仍然面临不少困难和挑战，要使全体中国人民都过上美好生活，需要付出长期不懈的努力。他引用这句含义隽永的古语，恰如其分地表明了立志与实干相辅相成的关系。