“Rome wasn’t built in a day” is the proverb of patience and perseverance — a reminder that great things take time. Here is what it means, its medieval origin, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its respect for slow, steady work.
What Does “Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day” Mean?
The proverb means that anything worthwhile and impressive takes time to create, so you should be patient and not expect instant results. Building skill, a business, a relationship or a reputation is like building a great city: it happens stone by stone, over a long stretch of effort. The saying is used to comfort and encourage — to say “keep going, these things can’t be rushed.”
Origin of the Proverb
The proverb is the English translation of a medieval French phrase, “Rome ne fut pas faite toute en un jour,” which appears in a collection from around 1190 called Li Proverbe au Vilain (The Proverbs of the Common Man). It entered English in Richard Taverner’s 1545 translation of Erasmus, and John Heywood included it in his famous proverb collection a year later. It was well enough known by Tudor times that Queen Elizabeth I quoted it in Latin — “Roma uno die non est condita” — in an address at Cambridge. Eight centuries on, it is still telling us to be patient.
Examples in a Sentence
- “Don’t be discouraged that the business is growing slowly — Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
- “You’ve only been learning the piano for a month; Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
- “Rebuilding trust takes time. Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
Similar Proverbs
- Slow and steady wins the race — patient, consistent effort brings results.
- Good things come to those who wait — patience is rewarded in the end.
- Patience is a virtue — the ability to wait calmly is a real strength.
- Little by little, the bird builds its nest — great results come from small, steady steps.
For more sayings about patience and time, see our proverbs about patience and time proverbs, or browse the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Rome wasn’t built in a day” mean?
It means that great or worthwhile things take time to achieve, so you should be patient and not expect instant results.
Where does the proverb come from?
It is the English translation of a medieval French saying from around 1190. It entered English in Richard Taverner’s 1545 translation of Erasmus and was recorded by John Heywood in 1546.
What is a similar proverb?
“Slow and steady wins the race” and “good things come to those who wait” share the same message about patience and steady effort.