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

1. little strokes fell great oaks
   1. (positive) steady effort can lead to unexpected success
   2. (negative) continuous adversities can weaken or destroy the strongest people, unions, convictions, etc.