欲速则不达
yù sù zé bù dá
more haste, less speed
Character by character
欲yù
want
want
速sù
fast
fast
则zé
then
then
不bù
not
not
达dá
arrive
arrive
Example
欲速则不达，学汉字一定要打好基础。
More haste, less speed — build a solid foundation with characters.
Tone: neutral.
Usage and origin
From 《论语》: Confucius warning a disciple who had just become a governor not to rush.
Learn it in context
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