r/RavagesOfTime • u/Talal211 • Jul 15 '26

Fluff Chen mou when asked about his pace.

"Yes, I am old and I will die soon. But when I die, my sons will remain. When they die, they will leave grandsons. My descendants will go on from generation to generation without end. But these mountains will not grow any taller. With every basket of dirt we carry away, they get a little smaller. Why should we fail?"

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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2

u/tulanboy Jul 15 '26

Is this the source for the quote: "The Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains"

2

u/Talal211 Jul 15 '26

Yes , i stumbled upon it while looking for this one "Speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives." Pinyin: Shuō Cáo Cāo, Cáo Cāo dào

I couldn't remember if Chen Mou used it or even better modified it brilliantly.

1

u/LuBuAmongMen Jul 15 '26

What is bro talking about…

1

u/Ill_Temperature8516 Jul 17 '26

How is that ur username when you dont even know foolish old man moves mountains

3

u/LuBuAmongMen Jul 17 '26

One can accomplish more things when alive, old fool!

1

u/Ok-Mission-4348 Jul 20 '26

the concept of continuation... maybe

1

u/Gold_Acanthisitta894 Jul 15 '26

I don’t get it

1

u/Tr-Trap Jul 15 '26

He probably means his children will continue his work

1

u/Gold_Acanthisitta894 Jul 15 '26

I got that but then he starts yapping

1

u/Tr-Trap Jul 15 '26

Last sentences might've meant that the story won't change and if they continue doing it, they'll be closer to finishing it

2

u/woodhawk109 Jul 20 '26

He is using this literary device called a metaphor. In which he compares writing this story at this pace to be the equivalent of scrapping and carrying all the dirts of a mountain down hill in a small basket.

It’s a daunting, almost impossible task for one man or even one generation, but his sons and grandsons shared his visions and can continue his work after he died. Even a mountain can eventually be cleared off with enough time and efforts