No thing great is created suddenly, any more than a bunch of grapes or a fig.
In plain words
Nothing good grows all at once, not fruit, and not you.
Where these words come from
- 85% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
- Discourses, I.15.7; Wikiquote sourced section.
More from Epictetus
See allIt is circumstances (difficulties) which show what men are.
EpictetusFor where else is friendship than where there is fidelity, and modesty, where there is a communion of honest things and of nothing else.EpictetusPhilosophy does not propose to secure for a man any external thing.EpictetusFor as the carpenter’s material is wood, and that of the statuary is copper, so the matter of the art of living is each man’s life.EpictetusHow then shall my brother cease to be angry with me? Bring him to me and I will tell him. But I have nothing to say to you about his anger.EpictetusNothing great, said Epictetus, is produced suddenly, since not even the grape or the fig is. If you say to me now that you want a fig, I will answer to you that it requires time: let it flower first, then put forth fruit, and then ripen.Epictetus
EpictetusFor where else is friendship than where there is fidelity, and modesty, where there is a communion of honest things and of nothing else.EpictetusPhilosophy does not propose to secure for a man any external thing.EpictetusFor as the carpenter’s material is wood, and that of the statuary is copper, so the matter of the art of living is each man’s life.EpictetusHow then shall my brother cease to be angry with me? Bring him to me and I will tell him. But I have nothing to say to you about his anger.EpictetusNothing great, said Epictetus, is produced suddenly, since not even the grape or the fig is. If you say to me now that you want a fig, I will answer to you that it requires time: let it flower first, then put forth fruit, and then ripen.EpictetusMore on perseverance
It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.
ConfuciusNature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
Lao TzuSlow and steady wins the race.
AesopPatience is the key to relief.Arabic proverbDrops of water hollow out a stone.
OvidFew things are impossible to diligence and skill.
Samuel Johnson
ConfuciusNature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.Lao TzuSlow and steady wins the race.AesopPatience is the key to relief.Arabic proverbDrops of water hollow out a stone.OvidFew things are impossible to diligence and skill.Samuel Johnson