Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before.

Summary

This quote is a metaphorical representation of perseverance and cumulative effort. It highlights the idea that success is not always apparent after one's immediate efforts, but rather the culmination of consistent determination over time. The stone cutter patiently chips away at the stone, seemingly making no progress, until eventually the accumulated impact leads to the desired outcome. It serves as a reminder that growth and achievement often come from persistence and resilience, rather than immediate results.