proverb · Words worth keeping
He that runs fast will not run long.
He that runs fast will not run long.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A very intense pace may be difficult to sustain over a long task. Match the effort to the distance ahead rather than assuming that the fastest start produces the best overall result.
Example
A volunteer preparing a catalogue spreads checking work across several sessions instead of attempting an exhausting first day and abandoning the remaining entries.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The runner represents someone beginning with great speed but limited capacity to continue at that rate. Beyond running, the image can apply to a long project, repeated work or an extended commitment. It asks whether the chosen pace leaves a workable way to carry on. The saying is not a training rule or a claim about every fast worker. Skill, support and the task’s length affect what is possible. The useful distinction is between a burst suited to a short need and a pattern that must be maintained, including room for changes and appropriate relief.
When to use it
Use it when a long task needs a sustainable pace rather than only an energetic opening.
Keep in mind
Fast work can be sustainable with suitable skill and support; the proverb does not prescribe a universal pace.
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