Can you become full with the first spoonful?

— Korean proverb; individual author and earliest origin unknown

Explore Growth

A young bamboo shoot growing among mature bamboo in soft morning light. — AI-generated editorial illustration · Quotations

What does this proverb mean?

Meaningful progress usually requires more than an initial attempt.

Sources and attribution

Unattributed Traditional proverb; individual author and earliest use unknown.

Source: National Institute of Korean Language — Korean Basic Dictionary , Korean Basic Dictionary, proverb: 첫술에 배부르랴

Origin: Korean proverb; individual author and earliest origin unknown

View reference ↗

Traditional Korean saying. English rendering and explanation by Quotations; not copied from the dictionary’s definitions. The reference documents usage, not first authorship.

Suggest an attribution correction ↗

Keep exploring

QUOTATION Verified

but it’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then.

— Lewis Carroll ↗

A river flowing around smooth stones beneath a willow at sunset.

QUOTATION Verified

She generally gave herself very good advice, (though she very seldom followed it),

— Lewis Carroll ↗

An open book and a ceramic tea cup beside a garden window.

QUOTATION Verified

I dearly love a laugh.

— Jane Austen ↗

QUOTATION Verified

Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.

— Jane Austen ↗