impatience is a blundering guide, Amongst a people famous for reflection, Who like to play the fool with circumspection.
 Lord Byron, Don Juan (1819). copy citation

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Author Lord Byron
Source Don Juan
Topic impatience guide
Date 1819
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/21700/21700-h/21700-h.htm

Context

“Or, if he dance not, but hath higher views Upon an heiress or his neighbour's bride, Let him take care that that which he pursues Is not at once too palpably descried. Full many an eager gentleman oft rues His haste: impatience is a blundering guide, Amongst a people famous for reflection, Who like to play the fool with circumspection. But, if you can contrive, get next at supper; Or, if forestalled, get opposite and ogle:— O, ye ambrosial moments! always upper In mind, a sort of sentimental bogle, Which sits for ever upon memory's crupper, The ghost of vanish'd pleasures once in vogue!” source