How to explain the sentence "I would rather not be a general for ten years than a pawn for one day"?

I'd rather do nothing in ten years, but I can't do nothing! That is to say, people can have no great achievements but have to work hard.

"I'd rather not be a general for ten years than a day":

I'd rather not be a general: I'm not

I'm not

I'm not

I'm not: I can be understood as a soldier, a trivial matter.

it means: I'd rather not be a general in ten years than keep working hard every day.

"General" and "pawn" are all chess terms. In fact, it is better to use "standing pawn" and "arch pawn" in this sentence. ?

"General" is a decisive move in China's chess game. When used in life proverbs, it can be understood as a big thing. ?

"Standing pawn" is a small step in China chess, which can also be understood as a small matter here. ?

so it can also be understood as: you don't have to do big things, but you must do small things and do them every day.