slow and steady wins the race
Consistency beats speed
A proverb meaning that consistent, patient effort achieves more than rushed or erratic bursts of energy.
From Aesop's fable of the tortoise and the hare, where the plodding tortoise defeats the overconfident, easily distracted hare.
The saying counsels persistence over speed: I know you want results now, but slow and steady wins the race.
- tortoiseLand-dwelling shelled reptile
- hareLarge wild lagomorph
- patienceCalm during delays
- one step at a timeProceeding in stages
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
endurance · staying power · plodding · consistent · brick by brick · marathon · long haul · finish line · determination · persistent · nose to the grindstone · gradual · methodical · fable · Aesop · pace · reliable · tenacity
slow and steady wins the racestrike while the iron is hot
Act when conditions favor
go big or go home · carpe diem · seize the day · first mover advantage · no guts no glory
slow and steady wins the raceno guts no glory
go big or go home · high risk high reward · bet the farm · all or nothing · swing for the fences
slow and steady wins the racetime is money
Adage equating duration with currency
strike while the iron is hot · now or never · life is short · instant gratification
slowly, slower, slowest, slowness, slowing, slowed, steady, steadily, steadier