Quoted in [Sextus Empiricus Against Professors i. 287] ὀψε θɛῷν ἀλέουσίμύλοί, ἀλέουσί δε λɛρṯά, the mills of the gods are late to grind, but they grind small.
Gods Mill grinds slow, but sure.
[1640 G. Herbert Outlandish Proverbs no. 747]
Though the mills of God grind slowly, yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience he stands waiting, with exactness grinds he all.
[1870 Longfellow Poems (1960) 331]
That's my business. ‥The mills of God grind slowly, but they grind exceeding small.
[1942 ‘F. Beeding’ Twelve Disguises i.]
Military record keepers were like the mills of God. They ground slow, and exceeding small, but only at their own pace.
[1989 R. Hart Remains to be Seen vii.]
Related to: justice and injustice; retribution
Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.
