🗣️ France: “Step back to jump further”

French proverb · Europe

Reculer pour mieux sauter

ʁəkyle puʁ mjø sote

“Step back to jump further”

A temporary retreat lets you gather force for a bigger advance — strategy over stubbornness.

About this proverb

This saying belongs to the oral tradition of France, a country in Europe. Read the full collection of France proverbs, or explore the Proverbs of the World index.

Qui ne dit mot consent

ki nə di mo kɔ̃sɛ̃t

“Whoever says nothing consents”

Silence is agreement — if you do not object, it counts as yes.

Proverbs are traditional folk heritage (public domain); the translation and explanation are our own plain-English rendering. Stored statically.

Traditional sayings from around the world, each with its original wording, a romanisation, a plain-English translation and what it really means.

Folk wisdom from 6 Africa countries in the collection.

Folk wisdom from 4 Americas countries in the collection.

Folk wisdom from 12 Asia countries in the collection.

Folk wisdom from 15 Europe countries in the collection.

Folk wisdom from 2 Oceania countries in the collection.