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He must crack the nut that would eat the kernel.

Meaning: Effort and perseverance are necessary prerequisites; you cannot enjoy rewards without enduring the difficult work required to obtain them.

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

Translations

  • French: Il faut casser la noix pour manger le noyau (literally: He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut)

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