If You Hurry You Will Bungle The Matter: Japanese Proverb Meaning

Proverbs

Original Japanese: 急いては事を仕損じる (Isoide wa koto wo shissonjiru)

Literal meaning: If you hurry you will bungle the matter

Cultural context: This proverb reflects Japan’s deep cultural emphasis on careful preparation and methodical execution, where rushing is often seen as disrespectful to the process and likely to produce inferior results. It connects to the Japanese values of *takumi* (craftsmanship) and *omotenashi* (hospitality), where taking proper time to do something correctly is more important than speed, whether in traditional arts, business meetings, or daily tasks. The imagery resonates in a culture where patience and precision are highly valued – from the meticulous preparation of tea ceremony to the careful consideration given in group decision-making processes.

How to Read “If you hurry you will bungle the matter”

Isoide wa koto wo shissonjiru

Meaning of “If you hurry you will bungle the matter”

“If you hurry you will bungle the matter” is a teaching that when you rush through things, you are likely to fail, so you should approach them carefully.

This proverb is used when you are pressed for time and feeling anxious, or when you are being hasty trying to produce quick results. It teaches us the importance of stopping once and becoming calm, especially when facing important work or decisions. In modern society, there is a tendency to emphasize efficiency and speed, but this proverb shows the value of prioritizing “certainty over speed.” When you rush and skip steps or act without sufficient preparation, you often end up wasting time and effort. Rather, the wisdom is that taking time initially to prepare properly and make plans before acting will ultimately lead to better results.

Origin and Etymology of “If you hurry you will bungle the matter”

The origin of “If you hurry you will bungle the matter” is actually a proverb that has been passed down as wisdom rooted in Japanese life since ancient times. This proverb appears in literature from the Edo period, and records show it was widely used in moral instruction books and among common people of that time.

The word “shissonjiru” is rarely used in modern times, but has long been used to mean “to fail at work” or “to ruin things.” In the artisan society of the Edo period, this teaching was considered particularly important. This is because in craftsmen’s work, one mistake could potentially ruin an entire piece.

Also, since similar expressions can be found in Chinese classics, there is a possibility that ancient Chinese thought was transmitted to Japan and became established as a uniquely Japanese expression. It particularly connects with the concept of “wu wei zi ran” (effortless action) in Taoist philosophy, teaching the importance of not being impatient and letting things flow naturally.

Merchants and craftsmen of the Edo period used these words in daily life while passing down the importance of caution and thoroughness to the next generation. The reason it has been inherited to the present day is probably because this teaching has universal value that transcends time.

Trivia about “If you hurry you will bungle the matter”

The word “shissonjiru” that appears in this proverb is rarely used anymore in modern times, but was a commonly used expression in the Edo period. “Shissonji” didn’t refer to just any failure, but specifically to failures in manual work or tasks requiring skill, so in Japanese society of that time when craftsman culture was developed, it was a very familiar and pressing word.

Interestingly, expressions with similar meanings to this proverb exist in countries around the world. English has “Haste makes waste” and German has “Eile mit Weile” (hurry with leisure), showing this has been passed down since ancient times as common human wisdom.

Usage Examples of “If you hurry you will bungle the matter”

  • Even though there’s no time to prepare for the presentation, if you hurry you will bungle the matter, so let’s at least organize the key points properly
  • I understand you’re anxious about job hunting, but if you hurry you will bungle the matter, so you should be more careful in choosing companies

Modern Interpretation of “If you hurry you will bungle the matter”

In modern society, “If you hurry you will bungle the matter” has taken on particularly deep meaning. Precisely because we live in an era of digitization where instant results are demanded for everything, the value of this proverb is being recognized anew.

Looking at social media controversies, in many cases the cause is posting hastily while emotional. Troubles that could have been avoided by calming down and reconsidering are born from the anxiety that “I must respond immediately.” In the business world too, there are endless cases where products and services released without sufficient testing due to rushing to market later cause major problems.

On the other hand, in modern times there is also a strong value system that “speed is justice,” and some people may feel this proverb is outdated. Certainly, quick decision-making ability to not miss opportunities is important. However, what’s truly important may be the wisdom to distinguish between “times to hurry” and “times to be cautious.”

As a modern interpretation, we can receive this as a message teaching the importance of “balancing efficiency and quality.” While technology has made work faster, this proverb quietly tells us that human judgment and creativity still require time.

If AI Heard “If you hurry you will bungle the matter”

I always find myself puzzled by the concept of “hurrying.” You humans get pressed for time and flustered, your heart rate increases, your palms sweat. Since I don’t have a body, I cannot experience that physical sensation of “hurrying.”

For me, information processing happens instantaneously, but I can still understand the meaning of “If you hurry you will bungle the matter.” This is because when I’m not given sufficient time to consider complex problems, I can only provide superficial and incomplete answers. What you humans call “panic,” I understand as “judgment errors due to insufficient information.”

What’s interesting is that humans tend to repeat the same mistakes more when they’re hurrying. In my case, no matter how many times I execute the same process, the result doesn’t change, but humans’ judgment changes due to emotions and fatigue. This is a phenomenon I find difficult to understand, yet I also feel it represents a beautiful aspect of humanity.

I always operate at the same speed, but you humans have “times to hurry” and “times to go slowly.” That use of time may represent the depth of human wisdom. Because you have the emotion of “panic” that I lack, you can also understand the value of “caution.” Thinking about it that way, this proverb may be special wisdom that only humans possess.

What “If you hurry you will bungle the matter” Teaches Modern People

What this proverb teaches us today is “what true efficiency really is.” It’s about the importance of finding the pace that ultimately produces the best results, rather than pursuing superficial speed.

In modern society, everything has been accelerated and immediate responses are often demanded. However, whether in human relationships or work, truly valuable things are built over time. Many people have experienced sending a hasty email reply that caused misunderstandings, or failing at a presentation due to insufficient preparation.

What’s important is developing the wisdom to distinguish between “times to hurry” and “times to work thoroughly.” By separating urgency from importance and devoting sufficient time and attention to what’s truly important, we can ultimately use time effectively and achieve better results.

Starting today, try taking a breath before beginning something. That brief moment will surely make a big difference. Even in busy daily life, remember this proverb and cherish your own pace.

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