Be slow to promise, but quick to perform.
Be slow to promise, but quick to perform.
Meaning in plain English
Consider a commitment carefully before making it, then follow through without unnecessary delay. The contrast between slow promising and quick performing values realistic agreement and dependable action, rather than hesitation in every conversation.
Example
A musician checks rehearsal time before agreeing to send an arrangement, then delivers the agreed score by the date they confirmed.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The saying treats making a promise and fulfilling it as different moments requiring different kinds of care. Before agreement, a person can check their capacity, the actual request and any conditions that matter. After agreement, avoiding needless delay helps the other person rely on what was offered. Quick performance does not mean rushing work that requires time or pretending that circumstances cannot change. If a commitment becomes impossible, a clear update and revised arrangement can be more responsible than silence. The useful reading favours promises grounded in what can actually be done, followed by appropriate action rather than an impressive assurance alone.
When to use it
Use it when a commitment needs careful agreement and reliable follow-through.
Keep in mind
Dependability includes honest updates when circumstances change; speed should not undermine the work.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases
Entry 1297 · Promise
Read the original context ↗ - Attribution confidence
- traditional · historical anthology
Preserved as printed; independently unverified. - Historical coordinate
- Undated
No reliable date supplied by the collection. - Rights & edition
- Public domain (United States)
Translations and rights may differ elsewhere.
Provenance and licences ↗