the difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer
- the difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer
A version of this is well known as the slogan of the US Armed Forces: the difficult we do immediately; the impossible takes a little longer. The ‘French Minister’ to whom this saying is attributed in quot. 1873 is Charles Alexandre de Calonne (1734–1802), appointed finance minister by Louis XVI in 1783: si c’est possible, c’est fait; impossible? cela se fera, if a thing is possible, consider it done; the impossible? that will be done (quoted in J. Michelet Histoire de la Revolution Française (1847) I. ii. 8).
1873 TROLLOPE Phineas Redux II. xxix. What was it the French Minister said. If it is simply difficult it is done. If it is impossible, it shall be done.
1967 H. HARRISON Technicolor Time Machine iv. The impossible may take a while, but we do it, you know the routine.
1981 P. MCCUTCHAN Shard calls Tune iv. A well-worn precept of the British Navy was that the difficult was done at once; the impossible took a little longer.
1997 National Review 29 Sept. 66 That’s good, utilitarian, achievement-oriented American lingo. We do the difficult immediately, the impossible takes a little longer.
Proverbs new dictionary.
Look at other dictionaries:
difficult — see the difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer it is the first step that is difficult … Proverbs new dictionary
impossible — see the difficult is done at once; the impossible takes a little longer … Proverbs new dictionary
The Sacrament of Penance — The Sacrament of Penance † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Sacrament of Penance Penance is a sacrament of the New Law instituted by Christ in which forgiveness of sins committed after baptism is granted through the priest s absolution to… … Catholic encyclopedia
The Vatican — The Vatican † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Vatican This subject will be treated under the following heads: I. Introduction; II. Architectural History of the Vatican Palace; III. Description of the Palace; IV. Description of the… … Catholic encyclopedia
The Satanic Verses controversy — refers to the controversy surrounding Salman Rushdie s novel The Satanic Verses . In particular it involves the novel s alleged blasphemy or unbelief; the 1989 fatwa issued by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini ordering Muslims to kill Rushdie; and the… … Wikipedia
The Anglo-Saxon Church — The Anglo Saxon Church † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Anglo Saxon Church I. ANGLO SAXON OCCUPATION OF BRITAIN The word Anglo Saxon is used as a collective name for those Teutonic settlers the foundation stock of the English race… … Catholic encyclopedia
The Idler (1758–1760) — This article is about the 18th century series of essays. For other publications called The Idler, see The Idler (disambiguation). The Idler was a series of 103 essays, all but twelve of them by Samuel Johnson, published in the London weekly the… … Wikipedia
The Simpsons — This article is about the television show. For the franchise, see The Simpsons (franchise). For other uses, see The Simpsons (disambiguation). The Simpsons … Wikipedia
The Mikado — For other uses, see Mikado (disambiguation). Theatre poster for The Mikado The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert, their ninth of fourteen operatic… … Wikipedia
The Operative: No One Lives Forever — For the similarly titled James Bond novel, see Nobody Lives for Ever. The Operative: No One Lives Forever The game s box art displays protagonist Cate Archer … Wikipedia
