---
title: ▍Ten Years, Twenty Years
created: 2026-06-23
modified: 2026-06-23
category: Parable
tags: []
---

> A martial arts student approaches his teacher and asks, “How long will it take me to master this craft?”
>
> The teacher replies, “10 years.”
>
> The student, looking impatient, responds, “I want to master it faster than that. I will work harder than anyone else. I will push myself to practice for many hours every single day. I won’t rest until I become a master. How long will it take then?”
>
> The teacher considers this new information, smiles, and answers, “20 years.”