Cf. L.
festina lente
, make haste slowly; after SUETONIUS
Augustus
xxv. 4.
nihil autem minus perfecto duci quam festinationem temeritatemque convenire arbitratur. crebro itaque illa iactabat:
ß
, he [Augustus] thought that haste and rashness were alike unsuited to a well-trained leader. So he often came out with sayings like ‘make haste slowly’ [etc.];
c
1385
CHAUCER
Troilus & Criseyde
I. 956 He hasteth wel that wisly kan [knows how to] abyde.
1683
Poems
(1958) I. 336
Gently make haste … A hundred times consider what you've said.
1744
Poor Richard's Almanack
(Apr.)
Make haste slowly.
1938
Murders in Silk
iii.
Easy, son. Let's make haste slowly. Does Conner know where the knife came from?
1989
Little Class on Murder
xii.
‘Festina lente
,’ Miss Dora suggested slyly. ‘Not bad advice,’ Max said cheerfully. At Annie's glare, he added quickly, ‘Make haste slowly.’
haste
;
patience and impatience