steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein
German
Etymology
Calque of Latin gutta cavat lapidem. Literally, “constant dripping makes a hole in the stone”.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈʃteːtər ˈtrɔpfən ˈhøːlt de(ː)n ˈʃtaɪ̯n/
Audio: (file)
Proverb
steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein
- little strokes fell great oaks
- (positive) steady effort can lead to unexpected success
- (negative) continuous adversities can weaken or destroy the strongest people, unions, convictions, etc.