The idiom "patience is a virtue" expresses the idea that the ability to wait calmly for something, or to endure hardship without complaint, is a valuable and admirable trait. It suggests that possessing patience will ultimately lead to positive outcomes, even if the benefits are not immediately apparent. The saying isn't about the literal definition of each word but instead acts as a general statement about the inherent worth of patience as a positive character trait.
While the exact origin is debated, the sentiment behind "patience is a virtue" can be traced back to ancient philosophical and religious texts, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and restraint. Geoffrey Chaucer popularized a similar phrase in The Canterbury Tales (circa 1387): "Patience is a high virtue, certainly".
The register is neutral, suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
"Patience is a virtue" is a relatively fixed expression. While you can use it in a sentence with introductory or concluding phrases, direct modification is uncommon. You can use it to offer encouragement, express resignation, or even to mildly rebuke someone for impatience. It can be used in questions, but it's more common as a statement.
Over-literal use or attempts to modify the core phrase often sound unnatural. For example, saying "Patience can be a virtue" weakens the proverb's force. Similarly, overly verbose expansions like "Patience, in many cases, is indeed a virtue to be cultivated" sound stilted.
These examples are sourced from patience is a virtue on Ludwig.guru.
""Patience is a virtue," we are taught." — The New York Times
"Still, patience is a virtue." — The Guardian - Tech
""Well, patience is a virtue," he replied." — The Guardian - Tech
"Patience is a virtue that's sometimes overlooked"." — The New York Times - Sports
"Patience is a virtue but hesitation can be deadly." — The Guardian - Sport
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/patience+is+a+virtue
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| good things come to those who wait | Emphasizes the reward for patience; optimistic. |
| all in good time | Suggests that something will happen eventually, so there's no need to rush. |
| wait and see | Advises observing and delaying action until the outcome becomes clearer. |
| hold your horses | An informal way to tell someone to slow down or be patient. |
| take a chill pill | Very informal; advises someone to relax and be patient, often used when someone is stressed. |
| Rome wasn't built in a day | Highlights that significant achievements take time. |
| everything comes to those who wait | Similar to "good things come to those who wait," but broader in scope. |
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patience is a virtue | Having patience is a valuable and admirable quality that leads to positive outcomes. | Neutral | Situations requiring immediate action or decisive intervention. |
No, "patience is a virtue" is almost always used figuratively. It's a proverbial expression intended to convey a general truth about the value of patience as a positive characteristic, rather than a literal statement about the definition of words.
While both phrases extol the benefits of patience, "patience is a virtue" is a broader statement about the inherent value of patience as a positive trait. "Good things come to those who wait" specifically emphasizes the reward one receives because of their patience, focusing on the positive outcome.
A common mistake is to assume "patience is a virtue" simply means patience is important in a specific situation. To avoid this, remember that the saying is a general statement about the inherent value of patience as a desirable character trait, suggesting it's a valuable quality to cultivate overall.
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