Gutta cavat lapidem non vi, sed sæpe cadendo. The drop hollows out the stone not by strength, but by constant falling. Quoted in the Menagiana, 1713. Probably first to use it was Richard, Monk of S. Victor; Paris. (Died about 1172. Scotchman by birth.) In his Adnotationes mysticæ in Psalmos he says: Quid lapide durius, quid aqua mollius? Verumtamen gutta cavat lapidem non vi sed sæpe cadendo. See Mignes Patrologia Latina. Vol. CXCVI. P. 389. Said to be by Chrilus of Samos, by SimpliciusAd Aristot. Physic. Auscult. VIII. 2. P. 429. (Brands ed.) Same idea in Lucretius I. 314; also in IV. 1282. Trans. of a proverb quoted by Galen. Vol. VIII. P. 27. Ed. by Kühn, 1821, Given there: Gutta cavat lapidem sæpe cadentis aquæ. Quoted by Bion. Also in OvidEx Ponte. IV. X. L. 5. Note by Burman states Claudian was earliest user found in MS.
So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse Met ever, and to shameful silence brought, Yet gives not oer, though desperate of success. MiltonParadise Regained. Bk. IV. L. 21.
Perseverance, dear my lord, Keeps honour bright: to have done is to hang Quite out of fashion, like a rusty mail In monumental mockery. Troilus and Cressida. Act III. Sc. 3. L. 150.