“Rome was not built in one day”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase Rome was not built in one day means that important and impressive achievements take time and cannot be completed all at once. It emphasizes the value of patience and persistence when working toward significant goals.
Tone Advisory, encouraging, and patient.
Where it comes from
The origin of the phrase can be traced back to medieval literature. The earliest known version appears in a medieval French proverb, “Rome ne fu[t] pas faite toute en un jour.” It was later popularized in English literature in the 16th century.
Examples
- When learning a new language, remember that Rome was not built in one day.
- Be patient with the project; Rome was not built in one day.
- If getting in shape is your goal, keep in mind that Rome was not built in one day.
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