ProverbPerseverance
Japanese origin
Japanese origin急がば回れ (Isogaba maware)
Meaning: When you're in a hurry, the safe, longer way is often the faster one.
Literally: If in a hurry, take a detour
Example: “近道は工事中だから、急がば回れで大通りを行こう。” — The shortcut is under construction, so let's take the main road: more haste, less speed.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and 4 more languages
English: Slow and steady wins the race
French: Qui va lentement va sûrement (literally: Who goes slowly goes surely)
Spanish: Lento pero seguro (literally: Slow but sure)
German: Eile mit Weile (literally: Hurry with leisure)
Italian: Chi va piano va sano e va lontano (literally: Who goes slowly goes safely and goes far)
Portuguese: Devagar se vai ao longe (literally: Slowly you go far)
Dutch: Langzaam aan, dan breekt de lijn niet (literally: Take it slowly and the line won't break)
Russian: Тише едешь — дальше будешь (Tishe edesh' — dal'she budesh') (literally: The slower you ride, the farther you get)
Turkish: Ağır git ki yol alasın (literally: Go slowly so you make headway)
Origin: Usually traced to a waka attributed to the Muromachi-period poet Sōchō: the boat across Lake Biwa from Yabase is quicker, but if you are in a hurry, go round by the long bridge at Seta. The crossing was often dangerous. Some sources credit an earlier poet instead.
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