Slow and steady wins the race

Meaning

Consistent effort often beats spurts of speed.

Usage

Encouragement to focus on long-term consistency.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Aesop's fable 'The Tortoise and the Hare'.

Ancient fable retold in many languages for centuries.