Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
This proverb warns against doing things in the wrong order.
In plain terms
Do foundational steps before advanced ones.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize the base before the top.

Where it applies

  • project management
  • learning process
  • daily tasks

Putting it to work

  • planning projects
  • teaching steps
  • organizing work

Questions to consider

  • Are you rushing ahead?
  • Is the foundation ready?

Another view

Sometimes flexibility requires changing the order.

More from John Heywood

  1. There is no fire without some smoke.

    Permalink to quote #46
  2. The more the merrier.

    Permalink to quote #48
  3. Many hands make light work.

    Permalink to quote #45

Related quotes

  1. 'By the Lion's Mane, a strange device,' said King Peter, 'to set a lantern here where the trees cluster so thick about it and so high above it that if it were …

    C. S. LewisC. S. Lewis quote #110
  2. If we understood the world, we would realize that there is a logic of harmony underlying its manifold apparent dissonances.

    Jean SibeliusJean Sibelius quote #1
  3. Well, if I called the wrong number, why did you answer the phone?

    James ThurberJames Thurber quote #2