haste

The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable | 2006 | 700+ words | Copyright

haste haste is from the devil often used to mean that undue haste results in work being done badly or carelessly. The saying is recorded from the mid 17th century.
haste makes waste hurried work is likely to be wasteful; saying recorded from the late 14th century.
make haste slowly proverbial saying, late 16th century, advising a course of careful preparation; earlier in Latin, in a saying, Festina lente, attributed to the emperor Augustus (63 bc–ad 14).
more haste, less speed the meaning (as with haste is from the devil) is that hurried work is likely to be less successful. The saying is recorded from the mid 14th century, and speed here meant originally success rather than swiftness.

See also marry in haste, repent at leisure, nothing should be done in haste but gripping a flea.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "haste." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "haste." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 11, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-haste.html

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