善始善终

善始善終
shànshǐshànzhōng
  1. where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth
  2. to carry things through
  3. I started, so I'll finish.

CEDICT

美好的开始，圆满的结局。《庄子．大宗师》：「故圣人将游于物之所不得遯而皆存，善妖善老，善始善终，人犹效之。」《史记．卷五六．陈丞相世家》：「吕后时，事多故矣，然平竟自脱，定宗庙，以荣名终，称贤相，岂不善始善终哉！」也作「善始令终」。

重編國語辭典

Entry Composition

1 善 shàn
  1. good (virtuous)
  2. benevolent
  3. well-disposed
  4. good at sth
  5. to improve or perfect
2 始 shǐ
  1. to begin
  2. to start
  3. then
  4. only then
3 善终 shànzhōng
  1. to die naturally with dignity; to pass away peacefully
  2. (of partnerships, projects etc) to end well; to have a good ending

Related entries

有始有终 yǒushǐyǒuzhōng
  1. where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth
  2. to carry things through
  3. I started, so I'll finish.
有头有尾 yǒutóuyǒuwěi
  1. where there's a start, there's a finish (idiom); to finish once one starts sth
  2. to carry things through
  3. I started, so I'll finish.