proverb · Words worth keeping
Hasty men never lack woe.
Hasty men never lack woe.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Acting hastily can create avoidable trouble by leaving relevant questions unchecked. The saying criticises rushed action, while its absolute wording should not make every quick decision seem wrong or every delay wise.
Example
A coordinator sends an event notice before confirming the location, then adds a brief confirmation step to the next announcement process.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The proverb attaches repeated trouble to the person it calls hasty. A useful reading focuses on the action rather than assigning a permanent character label: was something necessary overlooked because the decision was rushed? If so, a proportionate check may prevent the same problem in another attempt. Urgency can still justify prompt action, and an efficient response need not be careless. The saying should therefore prompt examination of what speed displaced, not praise hesitation for its own sake. It does not establish the cause of a particular misfortune merely because the person involved acted quickly.
When to use it
Use it when rushing has replaced a necessary check.
Keep in mind
Prompt action can be appropriate; identify the actual omission rather than blaming speed alone.
An interpretation of the words, not a claim about their earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Date unknown
- Culture
- English