The verses that illustrate the need to accumulate a little to make a lot are:
1. If you don’t accumulate small steps, you won’t be able to reach a thousand miles. ——Xunzi's "Encouraging Learning"?
Translation: Without the accumulation of small steps, it is impossible to complete the journey of a thousand miles. ?
2. The tree that hugs each other is born from the smallest millimeter; the nine-story platform starts from the base soil; the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. ——Laozi·"Tao Te Ching"
Translation: The big tree that hugs each other grows from tiny sprouts; the nine-story high platform is built from every pile of soil; the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. It starts with one step.
3. When soil accumulates, a mountain forms, and wind and rain stir up it; when water accumulates, it forms a abyss, and dragons emerge. ——Xunzi's "Encouragement to Learning"
Translation: Accumulate soil to become a high mountain, where wind and rain will rise; accumulate water to become an abyss, and dragons will grow here.
4. Without accumulation of small streams, there is no way to form a river. ——Xunzi's "Encouraging Learning"
Translation: Without accumulating small flowing water, there will be no way to form rivers and seas.
Extended information
Idioms that add up to a small amount are: a drop of water forms a river, a drop of sand forms a tower
1. A drop of water forms a river
Pronunciation: dī shuǐ chéng hé
Definition: A drop of water can form a river when collected together. It is a metaphor that as long as we do everything well, even if it is a trivial thing, over time, year after year, we will eventually have great gains and achievements.
Source: Modern? Part 1 of Zhou Libo's "Mountain and Countryside Changes": "A few years have passed, and a small number has become a large number, and a drop of water has become a river. I now have a few pieces of lace in my hand."
Synonyms: A little makes a lot
Usage: As an object or attributive; the same as "a little makes a lot".
2. Gather sand to form a pagoda
Pronunciation: jù shā chéng tǎ
Definition: Gather fine sand to form a pagoda. Originally refers to children's tower building game. The latter is a metaphor for adding up a little and making a lot. Also known as "accumulating sand to form a tower".
Source: North and South Korea Kumarajiva and Li Haibo's "Wonderful Dharma Lotus Sutra: Convenient Products": "Even children's play, gathering sand into a pagoda."
Translation: Even if it is Children play and gather a pile of sand to make a stupa.
Example: Although he is old, he still perseveres with the spirit of gathering sand into a tower