To do good work, first sharpen your tools.

What it means

A craftsman who wants good results starts with good tools. Preparation is part of the work, not a delay. Sharpen your skills, your gear and your company before the real job begins.

The source

"To do good work, first sharpen your tools." Confucius said it in Analects 15.9. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

"工欲善其事，必先利其器。"

Original Chinese, Analects 15.9. Text read at zh.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Confucius (551-479 BC). Teacher from the state of Lu whose conversations, collected by his students as the Analects, shaped two thousand years of Chinese ethics. He taught that character is built through learning, ritual and honest self-examination.

Questions

What does "To do good work, first sharpen your tools." mean?

A craftsman who wants good results starts with good tools. Preparation is part of the work, not a delay. Sharpen your skills, your gear and your company before the real job begins.

Who said "To do good work, first sharpen your tools."?

Confucius (551-479 BC). Source: Analects 15.9.

What is the original Chinese?

工欲善其事，必先利其器。. Translated from the original Chinese by Spartan Surfers.

Is "To do good work, first sharpen your tools." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"To do good work, first sharpen your tools." (Confucius, Analects 15.9, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/to-do-good-work-first-sharpen-your-tools