Rira bien qui rira le dernier, is a French proverb which means “He who laughs last, laughs best”. It is usually used to signify that persistence pays off and those who wait long enough will eventually be rewarded. The proverb is thought to have originated in a poem written by Jean de La Fontaine, a French poet of the 17th century, although there are other authors who have claimed its authorship.
History
The phrase is thought to have originated from a poem written by Jean de La Fontaine, a French poet of the 17th century. The poem, entitled “Le Savetier et le Financier”, tells the story of a poor cobbler who outwits a wealthy banker. In the poem, the cobbler says: “Rira bien qui rira le dernier”, which translates to “He who laughs last, laughs best”. This phrase has since been adopted by many different cultures and is still used to this day.
Meaning
Rira bien qui rira le dernier is usually used to signify that persistence pays off and those who wait long enough will eventually be rewarded. It is a reminder to be patient and to keep going in the face of difficulties, as the outcome is often worth the wait. It can also be used to refer to people who are slow to react or to show up to an event, as they may be the last to arrive, but still may have the last laugh.
Uses
Rira bien qui rira le dernier is commonly used in French-speaking countries as an expression of encouragement and resilience. It is also used to remind people to not give up, even when it looks like all hope is lost. The phrase is still used in modern language, although it is often shortened to just “Rira bien”. It is also used as an idiom in other languages, such as English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Examples
“Rira bien qui rira le dernier. Don’t give up, even if it looks like you’re losing the battle.”
“Rira bien qui rira le dernier. Keep going and you’ll eventually be rewarded.”
“Rira bien qui rira le dernier. Have patience, and you’ll be glad you did in the end.”
