Most men pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it.
Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) Danish philosopher, theologian
Either/Or, Vol. 1 “Diapsalmata” (1843) [tr. Swenson (1959)]
Quotations about:
haste
Note not all quotations have been tagged, so Search may find additional quotes on this topic.
Make haste slowly.
Augustus (63 BC - AD 14) Roman Emperor, statesman [Imperator Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus; b. Gaius Octavius]
(Attributed)
In Suetonius, Lives of the Caesars (c. AD 121). Quoting a Greek proverb, according to Aulus Gellius.
Alt. trans.: "Hasten deliberately." See Howell (1659).
The quickest way to do many things is to do one thing at a time.
Proverbs, Sayings, and Adages
American proverb (New England)
Good & quickly seldome meete.
George Herbert (1593-1633) Welsh priest, orator, poet.
Jacula Prudentum, or Outlandish Proverbs, Sentences, &c. (compiler), # 580 (1640 ed.)
(Source)
Well done is quickly done.
Augustus (63 BC - AD 14) Roman Emperor, statesman [Imperator Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus; b. Gaius Octavius]
(Attributed)
In Suetonius, The Twelve Caesars, 2.25 [tr. Graves and Grant (1979)]
It is very natural for young men to be vehement, acrimonious and severe. For as they seldom comprehend at once all the consequences of a position, or perceive the difficulties by which cooler and more experienced reasoners are restrained from confidence, they form their conclusions with great precipitance. Seeing nothing that can darken or embarrass the question, they expect to find their own opinion universally prevalent, and are inclined to impute uncertainty and hesitation to want of honesty, rather than of knowledge.
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
The Rambler, #121 (14 May 1751)
(Source)
Why should we be in such desperate haste to succeed, and in such desperate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.
Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862) American philosopher and writer
Walden; or, Life in the Woods, ch. 18 “Conclusion” (1854)
(Source)
Some things that provoke yong men to wed in haste,
Show after wedding that haste maketh waste.John Heywood (1497?-1580?) English playwright and epigrammist
Proverbes, Part 2, ch. 2 (1546)
(Source)
The more haste, the worse speed.
James Howell (c. 1594–1666) Welsh historian and writer
Paroimiographia [Παροιμιογραφία]: Proverbs, or, Old Sayed Sawes & Adages, “English Proverbs”” (1659) [compiler]
(Source)
A few pages later, Howell quotes John Heywood (1546) the analogous "The more haste, the less speed."
See also See Augustus and Publilius Syrus.
Though progress may be slow, it may be steady and sure. A wise man does not try to hurry history. Many wars have been avoided by patience and many have been precipitated by reckless haste.
Adlai Stevenson (1900–1965) American diplomat, statesman
Speech (1952-09-09), “World Policy,” Veterans Memorial Auditorium, San Francisco, California
(Source)
ALBANY: Striving to better, oft we mar what’s well.
William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
King Lear, Act 1, sc. 4, l. 369 (1.4.369) (1606)
(Source)
Nothing can be done at once hastily and prudently.
Publilius Syrus (d. 42 BC) Assyrian slave, writer, philosopher [less correctly Publius Syrus]
Sententiae [Moral Sayings], # 557
See Howell (1659).
Have you ever noticed when driving that anyone who is driving slower than you is an idiot? And anyone driving faster than you is a maniac? “Say, look at this idiot here! Will you just look at this idiot, just creeping along — whoa, look at that maniac go!” I mean, it’s a wonder we ever get anywhere at all, with all the idiots and maniacs there are.
George Carlin (1937-2008) American comedian
Show (1984-04-19), On Campus, “Cars and Driving,” University of California, Los Angeles
(Source (Video); dialog verified)
This skit was put in text in Napalm & Silly Putty, "Cars and Driving, Part 1," "Idiots and Maniacs" (2001):Have you ever noticed when you're drivin', anyone goin' slower than you is an idiot? And anyone goin' faster than you is a maniac? "Will you look at this idiot!" [points right] "Look at him! Just creepin' along!" [swings head left] "Holy shit! Look at that maniac go!" Why, I tell ya, folks, it's a wonder we ever get anywhere at all these days, what with all the idiots and maniacs out there.
Which was in turn recorded as an audiobook by Carlin. Note the audio version of the book adds "Whoa!" in front of "Holy shit!" and omits the words "these days."
