“Good things come to those who wait” is the proverb that turns patience into a promise. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its faith in waiting.
What Does “Good Things Come to Those Who Wait” Mean?
The proverb means that patience is rewarded — that if you are willing to wait calmly rather than rush or grab, the best results will come to you in time. It is encouragement to hold steady when you want something badly, trusting that good things ripen at their own pace and cannot be forced. Like all such sayings, it is an ideal rather than a guarantee; but it captures the real truth that some of life’s finest rewards only arrive for those patient enough to wait for them.
Origin of the Proverb
The familiar English wording comes from a poem, “Tout vient à qui sait attendre” (“everything comes to the one who knows how to wait”), by Lady Mary Montgomerie Currie, who wrote under the pen name Violet Fane around 1892. The idea that patience bears fruit is far older — versions appear across many cultures — but it was Violet Fane’s lines that fixed the modern phrasing. In the twentieth century, famous advertisements for Heinz ketchup and Guinness gave the saying a second life and made it a household phrase.
Examples in a Sentence
- “She waited years for the right opportunity, and it finally came — good things come to those who wait.”
- “Don’t rush the decision; good things come to those who wait.”
- “After saving patiently for a decade, they bought their dream home. Good things come to those who wait.”
Similar Proverbs
- Patience is a virtue — the ability to wait calmly is a valuable quality.
- Slow and steady wins the race — patient, steady effort beats rushing.
- Rome wasn’t built in a day — great things take time to achieve.
- The best things in life are worth waiting for — what is most valuable rarely comes quickly.
For more sayings about patience, see our proverbs about patience and the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “good things come to those who wait” mean?
It means that patience is rewarded — those who are willing to wait calmly, rather than rush, will be rewarded with the best results in time.
Where does the proverb come from?
The modern wording comes from a poem by Lady Mary Montgomerie Currie (pen name Violet Fane) around 1892, and was later popularised by Heinz and Guinness advertisements.
What is a similar proverb?
“Patience is a virtue” and “slow and steady wins the race” share the same faith that patience and steady effort are rewarded.