Korean Proverb : The More Haste, the Less Speed

Korean Proverb Series 29

The More Haste, the Less Speed

"급할수록 돌아가라"
(Geupal-surok doragara)

---

🕰️ 1. The Proverb’s Core Meaning

The Korean proverb “급할수록 돌아가라” literally translates to:
“When in a hurry, take the longer way around.”

It means that rushing often leads to mistakes or setbacks, while careful and deliberate action ultimately brings faster, better results. The proverb teaches the wisdom of patience — that slowing down can, paradoxically, be the quickest path to success.

---

🪄 2. Meaning & Key Lesson

• Haste breeds errors, but steady progress builds real achievement.
• The proverb emphasizes mindfulness, composure, and the power of thoughtful decisions.
• It reminds us that efficiency is not about speed, but about clarity and precision — especially in moments of urgency.

---

👀 3. Real-Life Applications

• A driver who rushes to save a few minutes ends up in an accident, losing hours.
• A student who skips preparation to save time performs poorly on the test.
• A craftsman who works too quickly produces flawed results, while patience ensures perfection.

---

🌏 4. Similar Proverbs Around the World

CountryProverb / SayingInterpretation

 

United States	“Haste makes waste.”	Rushing leads to mistakes and inefficiency.
United Kingdom	“More haste, less speed.”	Acting too quickly often slows progress.
China	“欲速则不达” (Yù sù zé bù dá)	“If you desire speed too much, you won’t reach your goal.” — the same wisdom shared in Asia.

---

💬 A Warm Saying

“Slow steps taken with care
arrive sooner than hurried ones lost in haste.”

---

📌 Note
This is a creative cultural content from the Misojieum Story Blog (kor-telling.com).

Please do not copy without permission.
Sharing is welcome with proper source citation.