dà大greatqì器vesselwǎn晚latechéng成complete
Great vessels are slow to complete — major talents take time to ripen.
Literal meaning
great (大) — vessel (器) — late (晚) — complete (成)
Origin
Dao De Jing (《道德经》, Laozi): 大方无隅，大器晚成 — "the greatest square has no corners; the greatest vessel is slow to be made." Used since to console late bloomers and to push back against impatience with slow careers.
Examples
Tā他dà大qì器wǎn晚chéng成，wǔ五shí十suì岁cái才chū出dì第yī一běn本shū书。
He was a late bloomer — published his first book at fifty.
Bú不yào要zháo着jí急，dà大qì器wǎn晚chéng成。
Don't be in a hurry — great talents bloom late.
Usage & nuances
Consoling tone. Common encouragement to people whose careers feel slow to start.
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