Little strokes fell great oaks. — Benjamin Franklin · Smartyfair

Little strokes fell great oaks.

Benjamin Franklin1706–1790 · inventor · 1700s AmericaBenjamin Franklin was an inventor, writer, and one of America's founding fathers who helped draft the Declaration of Independence — and was the only Founding Father to sign all four key documents of independence: the Declaration, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the Constitution.13 quotes

Source foundPerseverance1700s

In plain words

Small chops, again and again, bring down the biggest tree.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 93% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: Poor Richard's Almanack, 1750 (also appears in the 1757 "maxims" edition)
Work: Poor Richard's Almanack
Occasion: 1750
Sources checked: en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 20 August 2026
battlefields.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026Primary-text reproduction of the 1758 Almanack preface ('The Way to Wealth') containing the line verbatim.

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More from Benjamin Franklin

Energy and persistence conquer all things.

Benjamin Franklin Well done is better than well said.

Benjamin Franklin Reading was the only Amusement I allow'd myself.

Benjamin Franklin Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.

Benjamin Franklin What you would seem to be, be really.

Benjamin Franklin Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

Benjamin Franklin

More on perseverance

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.

Confucius Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.

Lao Tzu Slow and steady wins the race.

Aesop Patience is the key to relief.Arabic proverb Drops of water hollow out a stone.

Ovid Few things are impossible to diligence and skill.