more haste, less speed

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. When one is in a hurry, one often ends up having less success and completing a task more slowly.

Pronunciation

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-more haste, less speed.wav

Word forms

more haste, less speed

Etymology

The word speed is used here in the dated sense of “success, luck”, though probably with a pun on the sense “velocity”. Compare the same in Low German je gröter Hast, je minder Spood.

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