By waiting, one, in theory, increases their chances of something good happening to them. This may work in some circumstances and fail in others. The proverb dates back to a specific poem by Violet Fane but was likely in use prior to its inclusion in this verse.
Meaning
“Good things come to those who wait” is a common phrase used throughout the English-speaking world. It’s used to describe how patience is rewarded.
If someone is willing to work hard and wait for an outcome they desire, it’s going to come. The opposite of this would be rushing into something and thereby ruining one’s chances of actually achieving what they want. Because the phrase is so vague, it’s possible to use it in reference to a wide variety of situations.
When to Use the Phrase
It’s possible to use “good things come to those who wait” in conversations with friends, family members, colleagues, and even in more academic or professional settings. It alludes to thoughtful patience that can benefit people in many circumstances. Rather than pushing for an outcome, one waits patiently and presumably achieves their end goal. Patience, persistence, and perseverance are important, each is a virtue. It’s important to show self-control, this will likely bring about greater satisfaction.
One might use this phrase when talking about anything from relationships to economics. For example, if one friend was interested in starting a relationship with a new crush, another might remind them that “good things come to those who wait” and that the relationship is going to better if you’re friends first.
One might also use this phrase when speaking about economics, the stock market, or business affairs. Consider how a business partner might remind a friend that “good things come to those who wait” when thinking about selling stocks or making a hasty business deal.
Example Sentences
- Remember, good things come to those who wait. Don’t rush into anything.
- If you wait, good things might come to you.
- It’s only because you tried to move so quickly. Good things come to those who wait, you know.
- Don’t sell off your stocks yet, good things come to those who wait.
Why Do Writers use the Phrase?
Writers use “good things come to those who wait” in the same way and for the same reasons that people use the phrase in everyday situations. It could be used in a narrator’s depiction of a scene or event. Or, it might be used in conversation between the characters. One character might use the proverb to remind another of the benefits of being patient. In another situation, it’s possible to imagine the phrase being used sarcastically, directed at an annoyance, and not in regard to something worth waiting for.
Origins
The proverb “good things come to those who wait” is thought to have originated from another quote, “All things come to those who wait.” The proverb’s origins come from a poem by lady Mary Montgomerie Currie, writing under her pseudonym, Violet Fane. It was used in her poem ‘Tout vient a qui sait attendre.’ Below is a quote from the text that shows the text in situ:
All hoped-for things will come to you
Who have the strength to watch and wait,
Our longings spur the steeds of Fate,
This has been said by one who knew.‘Ah, all things come to those who wait,’
(I say these words to make me glad),
But something answers soft and sad,
‘They come, but often come too late.’
In these lines, the poet directly uses the phrase “all things come to those who wait.” Although it’s not identical to the proverb “good things come to those who wait,” it is suggestive of the same outcome. The poem explains that if you have the strength to “watch and wait,” then everything is going to “come” to you. The last lines in this excerpt add an important detail to the concept, though. Sometimes, these things “come too late.” They may come, but not necessarily exactly when you want them to.
Since the phrase was originally used, it has appeared in numerous publications, including other poems like ‘Good Things Come to Those Who Wait’ by Nathan Sykes.
FAQs
It’s true in some situations. This is why the proverb is interesting to use. It isn’t always going to be right. This allows for a great deal of diversity when it comes to written dialogue and narration.
The meaning is that sometimes waiting for something is better than trying to make it happen immediately. This isn’t always true, but it certainly is for some situations. One has to be careful when they share this advice.
There is no Bible verse that includes the phrase “good things come to those who wait.” An original version of the phrase came from the poem ‘Tout vient a qui sait attendre’ by Violet Fane.
