TERMBASES
All undertakings have a
beginning, but few people are able to see things through to the end. Mi (靡) means “nothing, none,” and chu (初) means “beginning.” Xian (鲜) means “few,” and ke (克)means “be able,
can.” The saying comes from The Book of
Songs, and was a criticism of the degenerate and immoral King Li of Zhou
whose constantly changing decrees brought misery to his people. The story has
both practical and philosophical implications. Starting off with a flourish is
not difficult, whether in personal behavior, doing business, being an official
or governing a country, it’s persevering to the end that is hardest. This is an
admonition to us to not keep changing our minds, to avoid making bold early
promises and then failing to live up to them. We must not give up in the
middle, but should persevere so that things not only begin well but also end
well.