Phrase breakdown: 十年树木，百年树人。
A profound Chinese proverb highlighting the patience and long-term commitment required for education and character development.
It takes about a decade for a tree (树木) to mature when planted. This is a relatively short period compared to what follows.
Nurturing a person (树人) — shaping their mind, values, and skills — is a far more complex and time-consuming endeavor, often spanning generations.
Core Philosophy: Great achievements, especially in education and social progress, require long-term vision and persistent effort. Quick fixes are not enough when it comes to developing human potential.
This is a classic two-part parallel construction. The first half sets a benchmark (growing a tree takes ten years), and the second half dramatically extends the timeframe to emphasize the greater challenge of cultivating people.
The verb 树 is used twice: first literally as “to plant/grow” (with 木 as “tree”), and then metaphorically as “to cultivate / nurture” (with 人 as “person”). This repetition creates a powerful contrast between a tangible, shorter task and an abstract, lifelong mission.