细水长流 steady progress
Explanation
比喻事情要慢慢地做，不急躁，才能有好的结果。也比喻生活要节俭，量入为出，才能持久。
The idiom means that things should be done slowly and without haste in order to achieve good results. It can also mean that one should be frugal in life and stick to one's budget in order to be successful in the long term.
Origin Story
从前，在一个小山村里，住着一位勤劳的农夫老张。他家的田地虽然不多，但是他从不抱怨，总是细心地耕种，辛勤劳作。他不像其他农夫那样，一味追求高产，而是遵循着“细水长流”的道理，合理安排劳作时间，科学使用肥料，不竭泽而渔，不焚林而猎。他种的庄稼虽然产量不是村里最高的，但是年年都能保证丰收，而且品质极佳，卖上好价钱。老张一家虽然生活不富裕，但也过得安稳幸福。村里其他农夫，常常为了追求高产量，过度使用化肥农药，导致土地退化，庄稼减产，甚至颗粒无收。有的农夫甚至为了追求短期利益，大量砍伐树木，破坏环境，最终害人害己。老张则始终坚持自己的原则，细水长流地过日子，他的田地不仅没有退化，反而越来越肥沃，产量也逐年提高。他的故事，成了村里流传的佳话，成为了后人学习的榜样。
Once upon a time, in a small mountain village, lived a hardworking farmer named Lao Zhang. Although his land was not large, he never complained and always carefully cultivated and worked diligently. Unlike other farmers who blindly pursued high yields, he followed the principle of "steady progress", reasonably arranging his work time and scientifically using fertilizers, without depleting the resources of the land or forest. Although the yield of his crops was not the highest in the village, he ensured a good harvest every year, and the quality of his crops was excellent, selling at a good price. Although Lao Zhang's family was not wealthy, they lived a stable and happy life. Other farmers in the village, often in pursuit of high yields, overused chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leading to land degradation, crop reduction, or even complete crop failure. Some farmers even, in pursuit of short-term profits, massively cut down trees, damaging the environment, and ultimately harming themselves and others. Lao Zhang, however, always adhered to his principles, living a life of "steady progress". His land not only did not degrade, but became increasingly fertile, and his yields increased year by year. His story became a legend in the village and an example for future generations to learn from.
Usage
形容生活或工作要循序渐进，持之以恒，不可急于求成。
The idiom describes a life or work that progresses step by step, persistently, and not too quickly.
Examples
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两人相爱，感情稳定，如细水长流般长久。
liǎng rén xiāng ài, gǎnqíng wěndìng, rú xì shuǐ cháng liú bān cháng jiǔ
The two people are in love, the relationship is stable, and it lasts as long as the gentle flow of water.
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创业之路，需要细水长流，一步一个脚印地走下去。
chuàngyè zhī lù, xūyào xì shuǐ cháng liú, yī bù yīgè jiǎoyìn de zǒu xià qù
The road to entrepreneurship requires perseverance, step by step.
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学习也是细水长流的过程，贵在坚持。
xuéxí yě shì xì shuǐ cháng liú de guòchéng, guì zài jī chí
Learning is a process of continuous learning, and perseverance is important.