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About this quote

What does it mean?
Chaucer states that no worker can perform tasks both well and quickly at the same time.
In plain terms
You cannot do good work and fast work together.
What can you take from it?
Quality and speed often conflict in work.

Where it applies

  • project management
  • labor disputes
  • personal workflow

Putting it to work

  • task planning
  • time management
  • setting expectations

Questions to consider

  • Do you prioritize speed or quality?
  • When has rushing hurt your work?

Another view

Modern tools sometimes allow both speed and quality.

More from Geoffrey Chaucer

  1. For thogh we slepe, or wake, or rome, or ryde, Ay fleeth the tyme; it nyl no man abyde.

    Permalink to quote #39
  2. Therfore bihoveth hire a ful long spoon That shal ete with a feend.

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. Allas! allas! that evere love was synne!

    Permalink to quote #38

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