The Meaning and Origin of
"Nothing Is Gained by Running; You Must Start at the Right Time"
The French saying "Rien ne sert de courir ; il faut partir à point" comes from the famous fable The Hare and the Tortoise, retold by Jean de La Fontaine in 1668.
Although many people think it is an old proverb, it was originally the opening line of La Fontaine's version of the fable:
"Rien ne sert de courir ; il faut partir à point."
"There is no use in running; you must start at the proper time."
La Fontaine based his story on a much older fable attributed to Aesop, who is believed to have lived in ancient Greece around the 6th century BC.
The Story
A hare was very proud of his speed. He constantly mocked a tortoise for being slow.
One day, tired of being ridiculed, the tortoise challenged the hare to a race.
The hare laughed at the idea. He was so confident that he would win easily that he did not take the race seriously.
When the race began, the hare ran far ahead almost immediately. Looking back and seeing the tortoise far behind, he decided there was no need to hurry. Certain of victory, he stopped to rest and eventually fell asleep.
Meanwhile, the tortoise continued moving forward at a slow but steady pace. She never stopped, never became distracted, and never gave up.
By the time the hare woke up, the tortoise was nearing the finish line. The hare sprinted as fast as he could, but it was too late. The tortoise crossed the finish line first and won the race.
The Moral
The lesson is not that being fast is bad.
Rather, it teaches that:
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Consistency is often more valuable than speed.
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Discipline is more reliable than talent alone.
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Overconfidence can lead to failure.
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Steady effort usually beats careless brilliance.
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Good preparation and perseverance are often more important than rushing.
In modern terms, the story reminds us that success usually comes from showing up consistently and continuing to make progress, even when that progress seems slow.
Why the Saying Became Famous
The line became famous because it applies to many areas of life:
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Studying for exams
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Building a business
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Learning a skill
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Saving money
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Training for a sport
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Completing long-term projects
Someone who works steadily every day is like the tortoise. Someone who relies only on natural ability, procrastinates, or becomes complacent is like the hare.
The Best-Known English Equivalent
English speakers usually express the same idea with:
"Slow and steady wins the race."
This phrase has become one of the most widely recognized morals in the English-speaking world and captures the essence of La Fontaine's famous line: steady, persistent effort often leads to success more effectively than speed, haste, or overconfidence.