Rome wasn't built in a day. — English proverb · Smartyfair

Rome wasn't built in a day.

English proverb

Source foundPerseveranceAncient

In plain words

Big things take a long time to make.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 85% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: French origin: "Rome ne fut pas faite toute en un jour," Li Proverbe au Vilain (c.1190). Entered English via Richard Taverner's translation of Erasmus's Prouerbes (1545) and John Heywood's proverb collection (1546).
Work: Li Proverbe au Vilain
Occasion: c.1190 · France
Sources checked: phrases.org.ukChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026French c.1190 origin plus English 1545/1546 first prints

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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.

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