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About this quote

What does it mean?
Kafka suggests that most human mistakes stem from impatience, specifically rushing through methodical processes and prematurely abandoning focus on the task at hand.
In plain terms
Mistakes happen when we rush instead of following a careful process.
What can you take from it?
Follow methodical processes without rushing to avoid errors.

Where it applies

  • problem solving
  • craftsmanship
  • daily tasks

Putting it to work

  • slow down work
  • check steps
  • avoid shortcuts

Questions to consider

  • How often do you rush through tasks?
  • What methodical steps do you skip?

Another view

Not all errors come from impatience; some arise from lack of knowledge.

More from Franz Kafka

  1. The true way is along a rope that is not spanned high in the air, but only just above the ground. It seems intended more to cause stumbling than to be walked u…

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  2. There are two main human sins from which all the others derive: impatience and indolence. It was because of impatience that they were expelled from Paradise; i…

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. 'Hey, there's something falling down in there,' said the chief clerk. Gregor tried to suppose to himself that what had happened to him might some day also happ…

    Permalink to quote #5

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