água mole em pedra dura tanto bate até que fura

Portuguese

FWOTD – 23 January 2015

Etymology

Literally, “soft water on hard rock hits so much that it bores (i.e. makes a hole)”. Compare Polish kropla drąży skałę; compare also French tant va la cruche à l’eau qu’à la fin elle se casse.

Pronunciation

• Audio (Brazil Center-West)

  (file)

Proverb

água mole em pedra dura tanto bate até que fura

1. if one perseveres in doing something long enough, the desired effect, even if unlikely, will eventually be achieved
   • 2012, Vânia Barcellos e Leite, Viver com Humor‎^[1], Biblioteca 24horas, →ISBN, page 53:

     Minha mãe sempre disse: “água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura”. Sábio conselho esse, pois funciona mesmo. Insista no diálogo, sempre.

     My mother always said: “soft water on hard rock hits it until it is bored through”. Wise advice, as it really works. Insist on dialogue, always.