How to Read “Being fast is good but has mistakes, being slow is bad but has no mistakes”
Hayaki wa yoroshūte shitsu ari, osoki wa ashūte shitsu nashi
Meaning of “Being fast is good but has mistakes, being slow is bad but has no mistakes”
This proverb teaches that rushing through things leads to mistakes. Taking your time, even if it seems slow, brings more reliable and better results.
We often think “faster is better” in daily life. But this proverb challenges that common belief.
Speed has value, that’s true. But rushing without proper preparation or checking leads to failure. Then you waste time fixing mistakes, which defeats the whole purpose.
Being slow seems like a disadvantage at first. But it lets you check carefully as you go. This greatly reduces the risk of mistakes.
Here’s the paradox: going slow but succeeding on the first try gets you to your goal faster than rushing and failing repeatedly.
Think of this proverb when making important decisions. When starting new projects. When standing at life’s crossroads.
It’s practical wisdom for situations where certainty matters more than speed.
Origin and Etymology
No clear record exists of when this proverb first appeared in writing. But the language structure reveals interesting background.
Notice the old Japanese expressions “yoroshūte” and “ashūte.” “Yoroshii” means more than just “good.” It carries the sense of “appropriate” or “suitable.”
“Ashii” isn’t simply “bad” either. It suggests “inappropriate” or “unsuitable.” This word choice points to origins between the Muromachi and Edo periods.
The proverb’s essence lies in its contradictory structure. “Fast is good yet has mistakes.” “Slow is bad yet has no mistakes.”
This paradox sharply contrasts surface appearance with deeper truth. Rushing seems efficient and desirable on the surface. But it actually carries the risk of failure.
Being slow appears inefficient and undesirable. Yet it holds the great value of certainty. This shows profound insight.
Such paradoxical teaching connects with Japanese craftsman culture and the samurai spirit. Don’t rush, don’t panic. Complete each step carefully and reliably.
This wisdom likely emerged from a cultural background that values this approach.
Usage Examples
- Being fast is good but has mistakes when launching a new business, so let’s do thorough market research first
- Being fast is good but has mistakes applies to exam prep too, so don’t rush—build your foundation step by step
Universal Wisdom
Humans instinctively want quick results. Waiting feels painful. The urge to rush toward goals is a natural emotion everyone has.
This proverb has survived hundreds of years precisely because it understands this human nature.
We make poor judgments when anxious. A rushed mind narrows our vision. It creates blind spots. It makes us overlook risks we would normally notice.
Then after failing, we regret: “I should have been more careful.” This pattern repeats across all eras. It’s an unchanging part of being human.
Anxiety about being slow is also part of human nature. Fear of being left behind. The panic of missing opportunities. These feelings make us rush.
But our ancestors knew better. True success comes from certainty, not speed. Those who advance steadily, even slowly, eventually overtake those who rushed and stumbled.
This proverb acknowledges human weakness—our tendency to rush. But it also gives us wisdom to overcome it.
Don’t be fooled by the superficial value of speed. Develop eyes that see the essential value of certainty. That’s the timeless secret of success.
When AI Hears This
In information theory, making a decision means “fixing information.” Deciding quickly means fixing information while uncertainty is still high.
Imagine flipping ten coins but only seeing three results before judging “heads is winning.” This judgment permanently loses the information from the remaining seven coins.
The key concept here is “irreversibility.” Once you act, you can’t undo that choice. No matter how much new information you gain later.
It’s like physics—once an egg breaks, you can’t unbreak it. Quick decisions take irreversible action when information entropy is high. When “we still don’t know what will happen.”
Slow decisions keep accumulating information. Like seeing all ten coin flips before judging. More information means lower entropy. Lower uncertainty.
Even more important: delaying decisions keeps you in a “reversible state.” You can revise tentative judgments repeatedly.
Shannon, who founded information theory, showed that information quantity measures “how much uncertainty can be reduced.”
Quick decisions use little information to make irreversible choices. High failure risk. Slow decisions gather sufficient information to increase certainty before fixing. Fewer failures.
Lessons for Today
Modern society worships speed excessively. Same-day delivery. Instant replies. Fast-track promotions.
But this proverb gives us courage to pause.
If you’re rushing right now, ask yourself: “Is this speed really necessary?”
Doing sloppy work under deadline pressure is worse than adjusting the timeline to deliver quality results. Quality builds trust in the long run.
The same applies to relationships. Taking time to understand someone creates deeper bonds than rushing to conclusions.
This teaching shines brightest in life’s major decisions. Career changes. Marriage. Starting a business.
Countless people regret choices made in haste. Don’t fear being slow. Moving at your own pace, taking sure steps—this has great value.
Even when others rush, you can keep your own speed. Carefulness isn’t cowardice. It’s wisdom.
Each step built with certainty never goes to waste.
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