Even the woodpecker gets through an oak.

What it means

A small beak and a hard tree, and still the tree loses. Persistence beats size and strength. Keep tapping at the thing that seems too hard.

The source

"Even the woodpecker gets through an oak." This Russian proverb is recorded in Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Patience — Hope" («Терпение — Надежда»). Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

"Дятел и дуб продалбливает."

Original Russian, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Patience — Hope" («Терпение — Надежда»). 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 "Even the woodpecker gets through an oak." mean?

A small beak and a hard tree, and still the tree loses. Persistence beats size and strength. Keep tapping at the thing that seems too hard.

Who said "Even the woodpecker gets through an oak."?

Russian proverb. Source: Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Patience — Hope" («Терпение — Надежда»).

What is the original Russian?

Дятел и дуб продалбливает. Translated from the original Russian by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Even the woodpecker gets through an oak." on a shirt?

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

"Even the woodpecker gets through an oak." (Russian proverb, Dal, Proverbs of the Russian People (1862), "Patience — Hope" («Терпение — Надежда»), translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/even-the-woodpecker-gets-through-an-oak