A Dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

WEYMAN Great House xxvii. Tell me the story from the beginning. And take time.

More haste, less speed, you know. 1993 ‘C. AIRD’ Going Concern (1994) iv. 31

‘Working against the clock doesn’t make for considered thought.’ ‘More haste, less

speed,’ said Detective Constable Crosby helpfully. haste; patience and impatience

HASTE makes waste

Waste properly means the squandering of time, money, etc., though it is also used with
reference to material waste.

c 1386 CHAUCER Tale ofMelibee 1.1053 The proverbe seith .. in wikked haste is no

profit. 1546 J. HEYWOOD Dialogue of Proverbs I. ii. A3 Som thyngs .. show after

weddyng, that haste maketh waste. 1663 S. BUTLER Hudibras I. iii. Festina lente, not

too fast; For haste (the Proverb says) makes waste. 1853 R. C. TRENCH On Lessons in

Proverbs i. Many Proverbs, such as Haste makes waste .. have nothing figurative about

them. 1997 Washington Post: Washington Business 29 Dec. 15 But I’ve let myself be an

impulsive Internet shopper, too, and I usually regret it. In ‘98, my motto is ‘haste makes

waste.’ haste; patience and impatience; waste

Make HASTE slowly

Cf. L. festina lente, make haste slowly; after SUETONIUS Augustus xxv. 4. nihil autem
minus perfecto duci quam festinationem temeritatemque convenire arbitratur. crebro itaque

illa iactabat: he [Augustus] thought that haste and rashness were alike unsuited
to a well-trained leader. So he often came out with sayings like ‘make haste slowly’ [etc.]; c
1385 CHAUCER Troilus & Criseyde I. 956 He hasteth wel that wisly kan [knows how to]
abyde.

1683 DRYDEN Poems (1958) I. 336 Gently make haste. .. A hundred times consider

what you’ve said. 1744 B. FRANKLIN Poor Richard’s Almanack (Apr.) Make haste

slowly. 1989 C. G. HART Little Class on Murder xii. ’Festina lente,’ Miss Dora

suggested slyly. ‘Not bad advice,’ Max said cheerfully. At Annie’s glare, he added

quickly, ‘Make haste slowly.’ haste; patience and impatience

haste see also MARRY in haste and repent at leisure; NOTHING should be done in haste
but gripping a flea.

hasty see hasty CLIMBERS have sudden falls.