proverb · Words worth keeping
He that runs fastest gets the prize.
He that runs fastest gets the prize.
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
In a contest decided by speed, faster performance gains the reward. The saying can encourage focused effort while inviting questions about what the contest actually measures.
Example
A group distinguishes a race to finish from a task where a careful, accurate result matters more than being first.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
The runner and prize make success appear straightforward: the quickest reaches the reward. That fits some competitions, but other tasks depend on accuracy, cooperation or unequal starting conditions. A careful application checks the real objective before treating speed as the only virtue. It also asks whether the rules and opportunities are fair. Winning quickly is not necessarily the same as producing the most useful result.
When to use it
Use it when considering what performance a particular competition rewards.
Keep in mind
Speed is not the measure of every worthwhile task, and opportunities may be unequal.
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