欲速则不达 yù sù zé bù dá

DEFINITIONS

  1. lit. to want sth in haste, but cannot get there (idiom, from Analects); more haste, less speed
  2. don't try to run before you can walk

CHARACTERS

欲 yù
HSK 6
desire, want, long for; intend
速 sù
HSK 4
quick, prompt, speedy
则 zé
HSK 4
rule, law, regulation; grades
不 bù
HSK 1
no, not; un-; negative prefix
达 dá
HSK 5
arrive at, reach; intelligent; smooth, slippery