The early bird catches the worm. — English proverb · Smartyfair

The early bird catches the worm.

English proverb

Source foundPerseveranceAncientAnimals

In plain words

Being first to try often wins something good.

Look up a word

Where these words come from

How sure this is: 82% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: First printed by John Ray, A Collection of English Proverbs (1670; enlarged 1678): "The early bird catcheth the worm." Some secondary sources cite Camden 1605 but that is unconfirmed at first hand. Genuinely anonymous English folk proverb.
Work: John Ray, A Collection of English Proverbs
Occasion: 1670
Sources checked: phrases.org.ukChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026Cites John Ray 1670/1678 as first-print source

Nothing made from these words yet — Storyfaire is where they get made.

More on perseverance

Even monkeys fall from trees.Japanese proverb 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 When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.Ethiopian proverb Patience is the key to relief.Arabic proverb

More wise sayings

Where there's a will, there's a way.English proverb No pain, no gain.English proverb Practice makes perfect.English proverb Rome wasn't built in a day.English proverb If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

William Edward Hickson Look before you leap.English proverb