Make Haste Slowly

Recorded by Suetonius in The Twelve Caesars, this was one of Augustus's favourite sayings — a Latin translation (festina lente) of the Greek proverb speûde bradéōs. Suetonius notes that Augustus deplored rashness in a military commander above all else, and paired the adage with two companion maxims: "Better a safe commander than a bold" and "That which has been done well has been done quickly enough." Gold coins minted for Augustus bore a crab and butterfly to symbolise the balance of caution and speed.