0889 Rome wasn't built in a day

Explanation

Important, complex, or significant tasks take time and effort to complete; you shouldn't expect results immediately.
It advises patience and perseverance.

Origin

A proverb originating from medieval French ('Rome ne fu[t] pas faite toute en un jour').
It references the ancient city of Rome, known for its vast empire and monumental architecture, which obviously took centuries to develop.
The saying emphasizes that great achievements require sustained effort over time.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

It's a marathon, not a sprint. (Focus on endurance)
Trust the process. (Common advice in skill development/therapy)
One step at a time.
Keep grinding. (Keep working hard)

Milder:

These things take time.
You need to give it time.
Progress can be slow.

Situational Appropriateness

Appropriate in most situations, informal to formal.
Commonly used in education, coaching, project management, and personal encouragement.

Misunderstanding Warnings

Ensure learners understand the metaphorical meaning related to time and effort for complex tasks, not literally about building Rome.

Examples

Don't get discouraged if you don't see progress right away. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Learning a new language is hard work; remember, Rome wasn't built in a day.
Building a successful company takes years. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Dialogue

Student: I've been studying guitar for three months, but I still can't play any songs perfectly! It's so frustrating.

Teacher: Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day. Mastering an instrument takes time and consistent practice. Keep it up, you're making progress!

Student: Okay, you're right. I'll keep practicing.

Response Patterns

Yeah, I know. I just need to be more patient.
You're right. Thanks for the reminder.
It's hard to wait, though!
True, I'll keep working at it.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After acknowledging (Yeah, I know):

The person might express frustration but reaffirm their commitment (It's just slow going, I'll stick with it).
The advisor might offer further encouragement or break down the task (Just focus on the next step, Celebrate small wins).

After expressing impatience (It's hard to wait):

The advisor might validate the feeling but reiterate the need for patience (I understand, but it will be worth it).

Conversation Starter

No. It's used to offer encouragement or perspective when someone is feeling impatient or discouraged about the slow progress of a task.

Intonation

Stress often falls on ROME, BUILT, and DAY. ROME wasn't BUILT in a DAY.
Usually delivered in an encouraging, patient, or understanding tone.

Generation Differences

A well-known proverb, understood by most generations, though perhaps used more often by older speakers.

Regional Variations

Widely known and used across the English-speaking world.

Look before you leap

🎲 A stitch in time saves nine

[0889] Rome wasn't built in a day