“Think not lightly of good, saying, 'It will not come near me.' Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise person, gathering it little by little, becomes full of good.”
Canonical Pali Original: Māvamaññetha puññassa, 'na maṃ taṃ āgamissati'; Udabindunipātena, udakumbhopi pūrati; Pūrati dhīro puññassa, thokathokampi ācinaṃ.
— Gautam Buddha
The Awakened One, Founder of Dhamma
Pali Canon: Dhammapada 9.122 on gradual continuous cultivation of wholesome habits and intellect.