“Where there’s a will, there’s a way” is one of the great motivational proverbs — determination finds a path through any obstacle. Here is what it means, where it comes from, how to use it, and a few sayings that share its can-do spirit.
What Does “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way” Mean?
The proverb means that if you are truly determined to do something, you will find a way to achieve it, no matter the difficulties. Genuine desire and resolve drive people to overcome obstacles, find resources, and keep going where others give up. It is an encouragement to anyone facing a hard goal: the deciding factor is not the size of the barrier but the strength of the will.
Origin of the Proverb
The saying is usually traced to the poet George Herbert, whose 1640 collection of proverbs Jacula Prudentum contains the line “To him that will, ways are not wanting.” Over the following two centuries the phrase was reshaped, and by the 1820s it had settled into the form we use today: “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Its steady survival is fitting for a proverb about persistence.
Examples in a Sentence
- “She taught herself to code at night with no money for courses — where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
- “It won’t be easy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
- “They found a route through every setback. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Similar Proverbs
- Necessity is the mother of invention — pressing need finds a solution.
- Nothing is impossible to a willing heart — an older proverb with the same spirit.
- If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again — persistence wins through.
- Fortune favours the bold — determination and daring are rewarded.
For more motivating wisdom, see our success proverbs and motivational sayings, or browse the full library of proverbs and their meanings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “where there’s a will, there’s a way” mean?
It means that if you are determined enough to achieve something, you will find a way to do it despite any obstacles. Resolve is what makes the difference.
Where does the proverb come from?
It is traced to George Herbert’s 1640 collection Jacula Prudentum (“To him that will, ways are not wanting”), reaching its modern wording by the 1820s.
What is a similar proverb?
“Necessity is the mother of invention” and “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” share the same message of determination overcoming difficulty.
