--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The water hollows out the stone, not by…" description: "\"The water hollows out the stone, not by force but drop by drop.\" — Lucretius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/278/lucretius-1632_drop_the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-f_520917.png" --- # The water hollows out the stone, not by force but drop by… ![“The water hollows out the stone, not by force but drop by drop.” quote by Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/278/lucretius-1632_drop_the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-f_520917.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/278/lucretius-1632_drop_the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-f_520917.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/278/lucretius-1632_drop_the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-f_520917.png) > “The water hollows out the stone, not by force but drop by drop.” [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Gradual, persistent effort erodes obstacles more effectively than force. **In simple terms:** Small consistent actions wear down barriers. Key Takeaway Persist patiently. Themes perseverance patience process Mood encouraging steady Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - habit formation - skill learning - conflict resolution Key Concepts philosophy natural law resilience Questions to Reflect On - What small steps can you take today? - How to stay motivated over time? A Different Perspective May be slow to show results. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Drop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drop/) [Drop Drop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drop-drop-593450/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Hollows Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollows-stone-2613337/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stone/) [Stones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stones/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Water Hollows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water-hollows-2613336/) ## Related quotes > [Dripping water hollows out a stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/dripping-water-hollows-out-a-stone/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [By constant dripping, water hollows stone, A signet-ring from use alone grows thin, And the curved plowshare by soft earth is worn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/by-constant-dripping-water-hollows-stone-a-signet-ring-from-use-alone/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Dripping water hollows out stone, not through force but through persistence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/dripping-water-hollows-out-stone-not-through-force-but-through/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Persistence a drop of water hollows out the stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/persistence-a-drop-of-water-hollows-out-the-stone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can't just turn your heart off like a faucet; you have to go to the source and dry it out, drop by drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/you-can-t-just-turn-your-heart-off-like-a-faucet-you-have-to-go-to/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [After you back it up, then stop; Then wha-wha-what, drop drop it like it's hot!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenile/after-you-back-it-up-then-stop-then-wha-wha-what-drop-drop-it-like-it/) [Juvenile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenile/) > [The drop hollows out the stone not by strength, but by constant falling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-drop-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-strength-but-by-constant-falling/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“the force of the water drop that hollows the stone. A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labors of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-vanderkam/the-force-of-the-water-drop-that-hollows-the-stone-a-small-daily-task/) [Laura Vanderkam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-vanderkam/) > [Constant dripping hollows out a stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/constant-dripping-hollows-out-a-stone/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [We'll start firing till they drop or we drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dashner/we-ll-start-firing-till-they-drop-or-we-drop/) [James Dashner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dashner/) > [Kingston, hey, face drop, oh, Kingston, I see your face drop, drop, drop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-kingston/kingston-hey-face-drop-oh-kingston-i-see-your-face-drop-drop-drop/) [Sean Kingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-kingston/) > [A jug fills drop by drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-jug-fills-drop-by-drop/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The drop excavates the stone, not with force but by falling often.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/publius-ovidius-naso/the-drop-excavates-the-stone-not-with-force-but-by-falling-often/) [Publius Ovidius Naso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/publius-ovidius-naso/) > [“Gray. The overcast skies had the colour of deadened stones, and seemed closer than usually, as though they were phlegmatically observing my every movement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simona-panova/gray-the-overcast-skies-had-the-colour-of-deadened-stones-and-seemed/) [Simona Panova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simona-panova/) > [The world is a stone wall ... and they have put the stones so close together that there is not a single crack through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eiji-yoshikawa/the-world-is-a-stone-wall-and-they-have-put-the-stones-so-close/) [Eiji Yoshikawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eiji-yoshikawa/) ## More by Lucretius > [The wailing of the newborn infant is mingled with the dirge for the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-wailing-of-the-newborn-infant-is-mingled-with-the-dirge-for-the/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [“Watch a man in times of adversity to discover what kind of man he is; for then at last words of truth are drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/watch-a-man-in-times-of-adversity-to-discover-what-kind-of-man-he-is/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [First, then, I say, that the mind, which we often call the intellect, in which is placed the conduct and government of life, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/first-then-i-say-that-the-mind-which-we-often-call-the-intellect-in/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [See with what force yon river's crystal stream Resists the weight of many a massy beam. To sink the wood the more we vainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/see-with-what-force-yon-river-s-crystal-stream-resists-the-weight-of/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [“...nothing is more blissful than to occupy the heights effectively fortified by the teaching of the wise, tranquil sanctuaries from which you can look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/nothing-is-more-blissful-than-to-occupy-the-heights-effectively/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [ ... deprived of pain, and also deprived of danger, able to do what it wants, \[Nature\] does not need us, nor understands our deserts,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/deprived-of-pain-and-also-deprived-of-danger-able-to-do-what-it-wants/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [It is a pleasure for to sit at ease Upon the land, and safely for to see How other folks are tossed on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/it-is-a-pleasure-for-to-sit-at-ease-upon-the-land-and-safely-for-to/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [Even if I knew nothing of the atoms, I would venture to assert on the evidence of the celestial phenomena themselves, supported by many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/even-if-i-knew-nothing-of-the-atoms-i-would-venture-to-assert-on-the/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [Nothing from nothing ever yet was born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/nothing-from-nothing-ever-yet-was-born/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [We plainly perceive that the mind strengthens and decays with the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/we-plainly-perceive-that-the-mind-strengthens-and-decays-with-the-body/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [For piety lies not in being often seen turning a veiled head to stones, nor in approaching every altar, nor in lying prostratebefore the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/for-piety-lies-not-in-being-often-seen-turning-a-veiled-head-to/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [No single thing abides; but all things flow. Fragment to fragment clings - the things thus grow Until we know them and name them.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/no-single-thing-abides-but-all-things-flow-fragment-to-fragment/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [What came from the earth returns back to the earth, and the spirit that was sent from heaven, again carried back, is received into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/what-came-from-the-earth-returns-back-to-the-earth-and-the-spirit/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [For thee the wonder-working earth puts forth sweet flowers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/for-thee-the-wonder-working-earth-puts-forth-sweet-flowers/) [Lucretius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/) > [No matter how difficult a task may look.. 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Because I don't want to talk to you on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-kluger/you-do-not-want-to-talk-to-me-on-the-phone-how-do-i-know-because-i/) [Jeffrey Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-kluger/) > [I'll run against the grain till the day I drop?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-claypool/i-ll-run-against-the-grain-till-the-day-i-drop/) [Les Claypool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-claypool/) > [Boys. Why do they treat me that way? Why do they always play me? Why do they always lead me on and then drop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/boys-why-do-they-treat-me-that-way-why-do-they-always-play-me-why-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Will.i.am drop the beat now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergie/will-i-am-drop-the-beat-now/) [Fergie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergie/) > [Tune in, turn on, and drop out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/tune-in-turn-on-and-drop-out/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [I'll continue making films because I love being able to drop into other people's worlds. My goal is to be constantly learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jehane-noujaim/i-ll-continue-making-films-because-i-love-being-able-to-drop-into/) [Jehane Noujaim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jehane-noujaim/) > [You are not the drop in the ocean, but the ocean in the drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/you-are-not-the-drop-in-the-ocean-but-the-ocean-in-the-drop/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [A first principle not formally recognized by scientific methodologists: when you run into something interesting, drop everything else and study it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-f-skinner/a-first-principle-not-formally-recognized-by-scientific/) [B. F. Skinner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-f-skinner/) > [Drop Pants, Not Bombs. Break Dance, Not Hearts. Draft Beer, Not People. 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Together we are an ocean”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryunosuke-satoro/individually-we-are-just-a-drop-together-we-are-an-ocean/) [Ryunosuke Satoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryunosuke-satoro/) [Browse all 603 Drop quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drop/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The water hollows out the stone, not by force but drop by drop.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lucretius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-force-but-drop-by-drop/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Drop" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-force-but-drop-by-drop/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/278/lucretius-1632_drop_the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-f_520917.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/278/lucretius-1632_drop_the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-f_520917.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/278/lucretius-1632_drop_the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-f_520917.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The water hollows out the stone, not by force but drop by drop.” — Lucretius", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lucretius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The water hollows out the stone,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-force-but-drop-by-drop/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretius/the-water-hollows-out-the-stone-not-by-force-but-drop-by-drop/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```