Quote: “Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy.” – Saadi
A timeless truth about the nature of growth and mastery is that the initial struggle of any new skill or endeavor is a universal learning curve. All things are difficult before they become easy. But this wisdom assures us that if we hold on, that same task can eventually become effortless, transforming from a burden into a state of mastery and fluency. The key instruction here is to actively “have patience,” which is presented not as a passive wait, but as a virtue required to get from the hard part to the easy part.
This wisdom comes from the heart of a 13th century Persian poet and moralist whose famous works, the Gulistan and Bustan, are filled with ethical teachings. Saadi’s philosophy reflects a core tenet of Persian thought that values diligence and perseverance. He taught that all worthwhile pursuits require sustained effort and that the journey from novice to master is a test of character. His words here serve as a compassionate reminder that the difficulty we face is not a sign of failure, but simply a necessary and temporary phase of learning.
For me, this quote is a powerful reminder that our personal triumphs, our Mehr Wins, are rarely achieved without first navigating the “difficult” part. It gives me permission to struggle, to make mistakes, and to not be discouraged by initial setbacks, because this quote tells us that’s how the process is supposed to work. The philosophy of Mehr Wins is built on this very idea: that by patiently pushing through the hard work, we find that our triumphs eventually become our new normal, and what was once so difficult eventually becomes a source of our greatest joy.
