sporadic effort yields no result; one day of hard work followed by ten days of idleness
A yojijukugo from Mencius, warning that bursts of effort interrupted by long periods of neglect are futile. Used to emphasize the importance of consistency.
With one day of effort and ten days of idleness, no talent can blossom.
In language study, it's important not to let it end up as sporadic effort, but to continue every day.
三日坊主 describes someone who gives up quickly, while 一暴十寒 emphasizes the pattern of intense effort followed by long idleness.
継続は力なり is a positive proverb about the power of persistence, whereas 一暴十寒 is a negative warning against inconsistency.
From Mencius, literally 'one day of exposure to the sun, ten days of cold'. The metaphor illustrates that a plant cannot grow if it is warmed for only one day and then left in the cold for ten, just as sporadic effort cannot produce results.