All things are difficult, before they are easy.

The saying appears as a standalone proverb in a 1732 compilation of adages assembled by Thomas Fuller. Later editors and publications repeated it, sometimes adding an introductory phrase about patience and incorrectly crediting it to the Persian poet Saadi due to an editorial juxtaposition in an 1874 anthology.

Skills and tasks often feel hard at the beginning because they are unfamiliar; with practice and experience they become easier and more natural.

All things are difficult, before they are easy.

Everything is difficult before it becomes easy.

Have patience! All things are difficult before they become easy.