Act in Haste, Repent at Leisure - English Proverb

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Act in haste, repent at leisure. — English Proverb.
Act in haste, repent at leisure. — English Proverb.
Act in haste, repent at leisure. — English Proverb.

Act in haste, repent at leisure. — English Proverb.

What lingers after this line?

Consequences of Impulsiveness

This proverb warns against making rushed decisions. Acting quickly can lead to regrets that linger much longer than the moment of impulsive action.

Importance of Thoughtfulness

It highlights the value of taking time to consider choices carefully. Reflecting before acting can prevent future remorse and lead to better outcomes.

Balance of Action and Reflection

The saying suggests a balance between spontaneity and deliberation. While immediate action can sometimes be necessary, it is crucial to weigh the potential repercussions.

Psychological Impact of Regret

Repenting at leisure indicates that the emotional burden of regret can weigh heavily over time, influencing one's peace of mind and overall happiness.

Cultural Wisdom

As a proverb, this phrase reflects a broader cultural wisdom that has emerged over generations, teaching the importance of patience and caution in decision-making.

One-minute reflection

Where does this idea show up in your life right now?

Related Quotes

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It is easier to discipline yourself now than to regret your lack of discipline later. — Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn’s saying turns discipline into a simple comparison of costs. On one side is the discomfort of acting now: waking up early, saving money, studying longer, or saying no to distraction.

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The pain of self-discipline will never be as great as the pain of regret. — Anonymous (Skip: Replace with: It is easier to discipline yourself now than to regret your lack of discipline later. — Anonymous) -> *Correction*: It is easier to discipline yourself now than to regret your lack of discipline later. — Sarah Ban Breathnach

Sarah Ban Breathnach

Sarah Ban Breathnach’s corrected line reframes discipline as a smaller, more manageable discomfort chosen in the present to avoid a heavier sorrow in the future. At first glance, it sounds like simple advice, yet its for...

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The cost of discipline is always less than the cost of regret. — Nido Qubein

Nido Qubein

Nido Qubein’s statement turns self-control into a simple but powerful calculation: the discomfort of discipline is usually temporary, while regret can linger for years. In other words, waking early, saving money, or prac...

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The pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret. — Sarah Bombell

Sarah Bombell

Sarah Bombell’s quote rests on a simple but powerful comparison: both discipline and regret involve pain, yet they differ in timing, purpose, and consequence. Discipline asks for discomfort now—waking early, practicing c...

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We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret and disappointment. — Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn’s statement begins with a hard truth: suffering is not optional, but its form often is. In other words, people cannot avoid discomfort altogether; they can only choose between the short-term strain of discipline...

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In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take. - Lewis Carroll

Lewis Carroll

This quote stresses the importance of seizing opportunities. It suggests that as we look back on our lives, the moments we didn't act on or the risks we didn't take are what we regret the most.

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