IdiomNatureFrench

Les petits ruisseaux font les grandes rivières

Meaning: Small contributions accumulate into something substantial.

Literally: Little streams make great rivers

Example: “Elle met deux euros de côté chaque jour ; les petits ruisseaux font les grandes rivières.” — She puts two euros aside every day; little strokes fell great oaks.

English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks

Origin: The hydrology is the whole argument, and needs no elaboration. It is used of savings above all.

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