Don't crack the nut and you won't eat the kernel.

What it means

The good part is inside the hard shell. You only get it by doing the tough work first. Bite down.

The source

"Don't crack the nut and you won't eat the kernel." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Не разгрызешь ореха, так не съешь и ядра."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»). Text read at ru.wikisource.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Don't crack the nut and you won't eat the kernel." mean?

The good part is inside the hard shell. You only get it by doing the tough work first. Bite down.

Who said "Don't crack the nut and you won't eat the kernel."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»).

What is the original Russian?

Не разгрызешь ореха, так не съешь и ядра. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Don't crack the nut and you won't eat the kernel." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Don't crack the nut and you won't eat the kernel." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Work — Idleness" («Работа — Праздность»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/dont-crack-the-nut-and-you-wont-eat