Where there's a will, there's a way
Meaning: Determination will help you find a solution.
Origin: The idea was already proverbial in the 17th century: George Herbert's collection Outlandish Proverbs (1640) gives it as "To him that will, ways are not wanting." The brisker modern wording took over in the 19th century. It is a close cousin of "Nothing is impossible to a willing heart."
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and Italian
- French: Vouloir, c'est pouvoir (literally: To want is to be able)
- Spanish: Querer es poder (literally: To want is to be able)
- Japanese: 意志あるところに道あり (Ishi aru tokoro ni michi ari) (literally: Where there is will, there is a path)
- German: Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg (literally: Where there is a will, there is also a way)
- Italian: A chi vuole, non mancano modi (literally: Where there’s a will there’s a way)
More proverbs about Perseverance
- Practice makes perfect — Repeated practice leads to mastery.
- Fall seven times, get up eight — Perseverance is the key to mastery and resilience.
- Rome wasn't built in a day — Great things take time and patience.
- The early bird catches the worm — Those who act first gain advantage.
- Better late than never — Doing something late is better than not doing it at all.
- Slow and steady wins the race — Consistency and patience lead to success.
From our false friends
- Sensible — Actually means 'sensitive'. For sensible/level-headed, say raisonnable.
- Librairie — Actually means 'bookshop'. A library is une bibliothèque.
- Constipado — Actually means 'having a head cold'. Estoy constipado = I have a cold.