Greatness alone in not enough, or the cow would outrun the hare.

The proverb argues that sheer size, status, or “greatness” does not guarantee success in a contest where other qualities matter more. By contrasting a cow (large, strong) with a hare (small but swift), it highlights that fitness for purpose—speed, agility, skill, strategy—often outweighs raw magnitude. The saying is commonly applied to leadership, competition, and ambition: power or prominence alone cannot substitute for competence, efficiency, or the specific abilities a situation demands. It also serves as a caution against assuming that the biggest or most imposing competitor will prevail, and a reminder that advantages are contextual rather than absolute.