九きゅう層そうの台うてなは累るい土どより起おこる

expression, godan verb (-ru)

many a little makes a mickle; every little helps

Rare classical proverb from the Tao Te Ching, literally 'a nine-storey tower rises from a small heap of earth'. Used to express that great things come from small beginnings. Compare ちりも積もれば山となる.

See also: ちりも積もれば山となる

• 「九きゅう層そうの台うてなは累るい土どより起おこる」という言こと葉ばは、老ろう子しの教おしえに由ゆ来らいする。

  The saying 'the tower of nine storeys rose from a small heap of earth' originates from the teachings of Laozi.