急がば回れ — Japanese Proverb | Printable Wall Art

“急がば回れ”
“If you're in a hurry, take the long way around”

A traditional Japanese saying, set as gallery-quality typographic wall art.

About this quote

This Japanese proverb suggests that taking a shortcut often carries unforeseen risks that cause greater delays. When time is critical, choosing a safer, well-trodden, or more dependable path yields a more reliable outcome. It counsels patience over rash haste, reminding us that careful preparation and steady progress ultimately save time in the long run.

This traditional Japanese proverb originated from a medieval renga poem by Sōchō, referencing travellers crossing Lake Biwa. It advised taking the safer bridge rather than a quicker, unpredictable boat journey.

People often display this print in a home office or study as a quiet reminder to work thoroughly.

What you get

An instant digital download. Choose your design and size at checkout — 19 typographic designs and 8 print sizes are available for this quote.

• Print-ready PDF with fully embedded vector type — sharp at any scale
• Exact trim size, no cropping required
• Print at home, at a local print shop, or upload to an online printer
• Instant download — no physical item is shipped

Sizes available

5" x 7" · 8" x 10" · 11" x 14" · 12" x 16" · 16" x 20" · 18" x 24" · 24" x 36" · A4 (21 x 29.7 cm)

Designs available

Atelier Serif · Quiet Garamond · Studio Left · Gallery Rule · Midnight Serif · Editorial Left Serif · Modern Sans Calm · Letterpress Caps · Poster Condensed · Script Whisper · Manuscript Italic · Asymmetric Left · Minimal Unsigned · Charcoal Sans · Gallery Frame · Soft Serif Right · Statement Serif · Night Script · Tracked Caps Unsigned

Digital product. Colours may vary slightly between screens and printers. Frames and props are not included.