冰冻三尺,非一日之寒
“Three feet of ice does not form in a single day.”
Significant problems or achievements build up gradually over time, not overnight.
— Christmas Island's Chinese & Cocos Malay Heritage, Christmas Island
Source: Traditional Chinese proverb, shared heritage of Christmas Island's Chinese community, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Christmas Island
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Great undertakings start with small, concrete first actions.
Christmas Island's Chinese & Cocos Malay Heritage
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If a person does not plan far ahead, trouble will find them close at hand.
Failing to think ahead invites problems sooner rather than later.
Christmas Island's Chinese & Cocos Malay Heritage
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One part labor, one part harvest.
The reward you receive is proportional to the effort you put in.
Christmas Island's Chinese & Cocos Malay Heritage
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Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to fish and you feed them for a lifetime.
Teaching someone a skill benefits them far longer than giving temporary help.
Christmas Island's Chinese & Cocos Malay Heritage
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Nothing under heaven is difficult for the one who sets their heart on it.
Determination and will can overcome almost any obstacle.
Christmas Island's Chinese & Cocos Malay Heritage
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Dripping water wears through stone.
Persistent, patient effort can eventually achieve what force cannot.
Christmas Island's Chinese & Cocos Malay Heritage
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