E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Rome was not Built in a Day.
Achievements of great pith and moment are not accomplished without patient perseverance and a considerable interval of time. The French say, “Grand bien ne vient pas en peu d’heures,” but the English proverb is to be found in the French also: “Rome n’a pas été faite en un jour.” (1615.)
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Rome was not built in a day, like Anchiale, of Cilicia, where Sardanapalus was buried. It is said that Anchiale was actually built in a day.
