Sol 5.6

  1. Your haste, O man, is blameworthy

    among people of distinction.

  2. All humankind has condemned it

    in the records of the case.

  3. Yet your haste, O man, is better

    than delay in giving;

  4. and likewise, withholding is a blemish

    among those of noble character.

  5. There is no good in haste

    to be hoped for among humankind.

  6. Only the astute man does not rush

    in affairs of the people.

  7. Deliberation alone is an adornment

    in brilliant minds;

  8. and likewise, haste is a flaw

    in human character.

  9. Excess lies in haste alone—

    except when it comes to giving.

  10. Deliberateness is better for those entrusted

    with judgments in a case.

  11. Yet there is no good in delay

    among the traits of humankind;

  12. rather, the good, as you see it,

    lies in hastening the decision.

  13. There is no good in haste

    for those of proud, unbowed spirit.

  14. For excess in it alone

    breeds the causes of death.

  15. Yet haste in certain

    matters of silver is pleasing;

  16. and I deem delay in them

    one of the vices of character.

  17. The best of character is simply

    your haste when giving;

  18. whoever seeks other than that

    is wanting in the eyes of humankind.

  19. He praises haste, O man,

    though it is among the causes of death.

  20. Then praise deliberation richly,

    for it is among the finest traits.

  21. Do not fault a people's promptness:

    among people of distinction,

  22. neither it nor deliberation merits blame

    in the varied characters of humankind.

  23. So set haste in its proper—

    place, in matters plain to see;

  24. and set deliberation in its proper—

    place, O man of distinction.

Sol 5.6