It means "Hundreds of boats are rowing in the rapids of the river, and those who paddle hard will be at the front. Thousands of sailboats set out on the sea, and those who dare to move forward will win." Ge : big ship; 楫: oar. It comes from the Confucian classic "Book of Rites: Doctrine of the Mean".
"Hundreds of boats vie for the current, and the one who strives first" tells the story that only those who paddle hard can run ahead in the race, and warns people to work hard and dare to fight. Most of the sages and saints had a special liking for the spirit of hard work. "Book of Changes" points out: "The movement of heaven is vigorous, and a gentleman should strive for self-improvement." This shows that a gentleman should be resolute and diligent in the pursuit of truth.
Wei Zhuang mentioned: "Conservatism is always criticized by the times, but hard work must be pityed by the country's people." This contrasts the old-fashioned and hard-working, encouraging people to be positive. Zheng Banqiao believes: "Pursuing quick results without working hard will only end up boasting in your youth and embarrassment in old age." This tells us from the opposite side that if you are unwilling to work hard and endure hardships and pursue quick results, you will only end up boasting in your youth. The fate of old age is embarrassment and hardship.
Extended information:
Creative background:
"The Doctrine of the Mean" comes from the "Book of Rites" and was originally the third of the forty-nine chapters in the "Book of Rites" Eleven articles. "Book of Rites" was originally called "Book of Rites of Xiao Dai", also known as "Ji of Xiao Dai". It was compiled by Dai Sheng, a man of Emperor Xuan of the Han Dynasty, based on a group of anonymous Confucian works left over from history. Before the Song Dynasty, scholars all believed that "The Doctrine of the Mean" was written by Zisi during the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period.
Sima Qian's "Historical Records: The Family of Confucius": "Zisi wrote "The Doctrine of the Mean"." Li Ao's "Collection of Li Wengong·Fu Xing Shu": "Zisi wrote forty-seven chapters of "The Doctrine of the Mean", which was passed down to Meng Ke. "Zhu Xi's "Zhongyong Chapter·Preface": "Why was the Doctrine written by Zisi because he was worried about the loss of Taoism?" Since the Song Dynasty, some scholars have argued that "The Doctrine of the Mean" was written by Zisi and the Qin and Han Dynasties. It is composed of miscellaneous accounts by contemporary Confucian scholars.
Ouyang Xiu's "Asking Jinshi Strategies": "Question: The books on ritual and music are scattered, and they are mixed with the theories of Confucianism. Only "The Doctrine of the Mean" comes from Zisi. Zisi, after the saints, is also The biography should be true, but what is said about it is different from that of the saints? "Ye Shi's "Preface to the Notes on Learning - Wenjian III": "Although the Han people said that "The Doctrine of the Mean" was written by Zi Si, I doubt it if I use it to test it. It does not come exclusively from Zisi."
There are many people in the Qing Dynasty who believed that "The Doctrine of the Mean" was not written by Zisi, especially Cui Shu, who proposed it in the third volume of his "Zhu Si Kao Xin Lu". Provide three arguments to prove your point. Nowadays, people such as Feng Youlan, Qian Mu, Lao Siguang, etc. also argue that "The Doctrine of the Mean" was not written by Zisi from the aspects of literature and thought.
Reference material: Baidu Encyclopedia - "The Doctrine of the Mean"