A nimble ninepence is better than a slow shilling.

Meaning: Quick profit from small ventures outpaces sluggish returns from larger investments.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Perseverance

• The great Homer himself sometimes nods. — Even the most skilled and accomplished people occasionally make mistakes or lose focus.
• Doing nothing is the hardest work. — Idleness demands constant mental struggle against restlessness and guilt, making it parad…
• Old friends to meet, old wine to drink, and old wood to burn. — Cherished relationships and familiar comforts—people, drinks, and fires—improve with time…
• Old friends and old wine are best. — Enduring relationships and tried experiences improve with time, unlike novelty which ofte…
• Once well done is twice done. — Completing work carefully the first time eliminates the need for costly, time-consuming c…
• None is so wise but the fool overtakes him sometimes. — Even the cleverest person occasionally errs, while chance may grant unexpected advantage…

← Back to Proverbs

Loading the full interactive collection…