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No two things differ more than hurry and dispatch. Hurry…

“No two things differ more than hurry and dispatch. Hurry is the mark of a weak mind, dispatch of a strong one. A weak man in office, like a squirrel in a cage, is laboring eternally, but to no purpose, and is in constant motion without getting on a job; like a turnstile, he is in everybody's way…” quote by Charles Caleb Colton
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“No two things differ more than hurry and dispatch. Hurry is the mark of a weak mind, dispatch of a strong one. A weak man in office, like a squirrel in a cage, is laboring eternally, but to no purpose, and is in constant motion without getting on a job; like a turnstile, he is in everybody's way, but stops nobody; he talks a great deal, but says very little; looks into everything but sees nothing; and has a hundred irons in the fire, but very few of them are hot, and with those few that are, he only burns his fingers.”

Charles Caleb Colton

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Hasty, scattered effort leads to inefficiency; focused, decisive action yields results.

In simple terms: Focus beats frantic activity.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize and act decisively.

Themes

focus efficiency decision‑making

Mood

analytical determined

Type

practical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • project management
  • entrepreneurship
  • academic research
  • personal tasks

Key Concepts

productivity psychology leadership

Questions to Reflect On

  • What tasks truly need your immediate attention?
  • How can you eliminate unnecessary distractions?
A Different Perspective

Over‑planning can cause paralysis.

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