The ox is slow, but the earth is patient
Meaning: Steady, unhurried work in harmony with natural rhythms eventually yields abundance.
Origin: Chinese agricultural proverb reflecting the values of patience and harmony with nature.
Translations
- French: Le bœuf est lent, mais la terre est patiente (literally: The ox is slow, but the earth is patient)
- Spanish: El buey es lento, pero la tierra es paciente (literally: The ox is slow, but the earth is patient)
- Japanese: 牛は遅いが、大地は辛抱強い (Ushi wa osoi ga, daichi wa shimbōzuyoi) (literally: The ox is slow, but the earth is patient)
More proverbs about Perseverance
- The cat that always cries catches no mice — Complaining and making noise accomplishes nothing; quiet, focused effort gets results.
- The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones — Great accomplishments are only possible through gradual, persistent small efforts.
- It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop — Progress at any pace is still progress; what matters is persisting, not speed.
- Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance — Long-term persistence is more powerful than raw ability or brute force.
- You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great — Greatness is not a prerequisite for beginning; beginning is the path to greatness.
- He who limps is still walking — Even imperfect progress is still progress; do not let imperfection stop you.
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