Franklin warns that trying to complete something too quickly can create mistakes that ultimately consume more time, effort or resources. Haste may encourage people to skip checks, overlook details or act before they have properly considered what they are doing. The apparent saving of time can therefore produce additional work when errors have to be corrected.

The saying does not argue against acting promptly or efficiently. Its target is unnecessary rushing that sacrifices care for speed. In many tasks, a measured approach can be faster overall because it reduces mistakes, duplication and wasted materials. Franklin’s broader lesson is that efficiency should be judged by the quality and consequences of the whole process, not simply by how quickly the first attempt is completed. Taking enough time to do something properly can prevent avoidable losses later.