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
「九層の台は累土より起こる」という言葉は、老子の教えに由来する。
The saying 'the tower of nine storeys rose from a small heap of earth' originates from the teachings of Laozi.