Great achievements take time and cannot be accomplished quickly; patience is required for significant accomplishments.
This proverb dates back to at least the 12th century in French ('Rome ne fu pas faite toute en un jour') and appeared in English by the 16th century. It references the historical fact that the Roman Empire took centuries to reach its peak, serving as a perfect metaphor for any complex, time-consuming endeavor.
What makes this phrase particularly enduring is that it works on multiple levels - Rome was literally built over many centuries, making it both a historical fact and a powerful metaphor. The phrase has spawned the lesser-known response 'but they were laying bricks every hour,' emphasizing that while patience is important, consistent effort is equally crucial.
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