"Little strokes fell great oaks,"

In connection with which may be quoted the words of Ovid to the same
effect:--

"Quid magis est durum saxo? Quid mollius unda?
Dura taneu molli saxa cavantur aqua?"

Then, again, it is commonly said that:--

"Oaks may fall when seeds brave the storm."

And to give one more illustration:--

"The greatest oaks have been little acorns."

Similarly, with trees in general, we find a good number of proverbs.
Thus one informs us that "Wise men in the world are like timber trees in
a hedge, here and there one." That there is some good in every one is
illustrated by this saying--"There's no tree but bears some fruit." The
familiar proverb, that "The tree is no sooner down but every one runs
for his hatchet," explains itself, whereas "The highest tree hath the
greater fall," which, in its moral application, is equally true. Again,
an agricultural precept enjoins the farmer to "Set trees poor and they
will grow rich; set them rich and they will grow poor," that is, remove
them out of a more barren into a fatter soil. That success can only be
gained by toil is illustrated in this proverb--"He that would have the
fruit must climb the tree," and once more it is said that "He who plants
trees loves others beside himself."