He who limps is still walking
Meaning: Even imperfect progress is still progress; do not let imperfection stop you.
Origin: From the Polish satirist Stanisław Jerzy Lec, whose collection of aphorisms Unkempt Thoughts (Myśli nieuczesane) first appeared in 1957. Slow progress is still progress.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, and Japanese
- French: Celui qui boite marche quand même (literally: He who limps still walks)
- Spanish: El que cojea, todavía camina (literally: He who limps still walks)
- Japanese: 足を引きずっていても、まだ歩いている (Ashi wo hikizutte ite mo, mada aruite iru) (literally: Even limping, one is still walking)
More proverbs about Perseverance
- Stars cannot shine without darkness — Hardship and struggle are what allow our greatest qualities to become visible.
- Even the tallest tower began with a single brick — Every great achievement starts with one humble first step.
- He conquers who endures — Persistence and endurance are the ultimate keys to victory.
- To lose patience is to lose the battle — Losing your composure under pressure ensures defeat; staying calm is essential to success.
- Nothing is impossible to a willing heart — With true determination and commitment, any obstacle can be overcome.
- A dumb priest never got a parish — Silence and incompetence forfeit advancement; those unable to demonstrate ability through…
From our idioms
- Quand les poules auront des dents — Never — it describes something that will simply never happen.
- Il y a anguille sous roche — Something suspicious is quietly going on beneath the surface.
- Ménager la chèvre et le chou — To try to please both sides of a conflict without committing to either.