Skip to content

Order by December 10 for delivery before Christmas. Shop gifts

What it means

Hard problems need hard preparation. You cannot take on something tough with soft habits. Build the strength first, then bite.

The source

"To chew iron, you need teeth of steel." This Armenian proverb is recorded in Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889). Translated by Bayan, 1889.

"To masticate iron steel teeth are required."

Bayan, 1889, Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889). Text read at archive.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 "To chew iron, you need teeth of steel." mean?
Hard problems need hard preparation. You cannot take on something tough with soft habits. Build the strength first, then bite.
Who said "To chew iron, you need teeth of steel."?
Armenian proverb. Source: Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889).
What is the original wording?
To masticate iron steel teeth are required (Bayan, 1889). Translated by Bayan, 1889.
Is "To chew iron, you need teeth of steel." on a shirt?
Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

Cite this line

"To chew iron, you need teeth of steel." (Armenian proverb, Bayan, Armenian Proverbs and Sayings (1889), trans. Bayan, 1889). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/to-chew-iron-you-need-teeth-of-steel

Filed under Quotes about discipline and grit and Ancient proverbs.

More from Proverbs of the world