In this article we will consider the stable expression "Water wears away the stone." The meaning of the proverb can be interpreted as follows: any stronghold can change under the daily influence of the elements. Due to frequent contact, it can really break through the invincibility of a block after a while. And falling water drops have a powerful potential, they are able to deliver a hydrodynamic shock, and over time, notches may appear on solid rock.
But the main secret is hidden not in the element itself, but in the frequency and constancy of the impact, which is why it is mountainous stormy rivers that have more power than quiet lakes.
"Water wears away the stone": the meaning of the expression
This aphorism has a double metaphorical meaning. Water makes a persistent and regular movement and is able to destroy the rock over time, so it is associated with persistent and patient people. Even a single drop has power, every day a little bit undermining strong stones. So a person can achieve a lot if he makes certain efforts, not to sit and wait, but to act. Let every day a little, but in the future the result will bereached.
The stone does not resist, but indifferently and passively awaits the influence on it. In a figurative sense, this means that any activity will bear fruit, and this does not threaten inaction. This is what is meant by the phrase "water wears away a stone." The meaning of this aphorism includes purposefulness, perseverance, perseverance, patience, which are necessary to achieve the goal. The meaning of the proverb is that even a slow, small force, but constant step-by-step movement, will not remain without a trace, but will certainly lead to some result. Eloquent proof of this is the pebbles polished by water on the seashore, but once they were rough stones with sharp edges.
Etymology of expression
This proverb is considered by many to be popular, but there was a certain person who once wrote "water wears away a stone." The meaning can be more fully revealed if you turn to the original source. The author of this aphorism is the poet Haril, who lived in ancient Greece in the 5th century BC. e. One of the lines of his poem "A drop of water hammers a stone with constancy" speaks for itself. This metaphor is based on a comparison with a real physical phenomenon.
Using proverbs in fiction, media and everyday life
Heril's lines outlived their creator a lot and became winged. Later, this aphorism was written by the Roman poet Ovid (II half of the 1st century BC) in the "Message from Pontus", so he is also often credited with authorship. Then a fuller expression appeared in a comedy production"Candelabra" by the Italian poet Giordano Bruno. Often this aphorism is found in other works of art, such as "Crime and Punishment" by F. Dostoevsky, "Who is to blame" by A. Herzen, "On the nature of things" by Lucretius.
Even in the media and in everyday life, the saying “water wears away a stone” is used in the meaning that we have revealed. She teaches never to give up and never give up, but to perceive failures as an invaluable experience and an opportunity to move towards your dream in small steps. Often such an expression can be found in articles and stories about successful people who have been moving towards their goal for more than one year. It is also used when they want to draw the attention of readers and viewers to a problem that they still managed to solve. Although initially it seemed impossible.
Conclusion
The meaning of the expression “water wears away a stone” has a colossal meaning and a call to action. This stable phrase encourages those who have already made many attempts, who have been going towards their dream for a very long time and have met many difficulties on their way, but still want to achieve the desired result.
