Quote of the day: Anand Mahindra’s father’s advice, linked to Roman Emperor Augustus, ‘Make haste slowly’

Business leader Anand Mahindra on Tuesday shared a life lesson from his late father that, he said, has shaped his thinking on business and now reflects India’s approach to global trade. The Mahindra Group chairman recalled the advice, “Make haste slowly”, as India and the European Union announced a free trade agreement.

A lesson that once sounded contradictory

Mahindra said that while growing up, the phrase often left him confused. To him, it sounded like a contradiction, how could one hurry and slow down at the same time? He admitted that he even argued with his father over it, convinced that the advice made little practical sense.

That understanding changed once he entered the professional world.

Why the advice began to make sense

As Mahindra began working, he said the meaning of the phrase became clear across different areas of business. The lesson, he explained, was about resisting the urge to rush decisions and instead focusing on steady, thoughtful progress.

He pointed out that the idea is rooted in the Latin maxim Festina Lente, commonly linked to Roman Emperor Augustus. The phrase encourages moving forward with care and discipline, suggesting that patience often leads to faster and more sustainable outcomes in the long run.

What you can learn from Anand Mahindra's quote today

The quote “Make haste slowly” teaches that real progress comes from balance, moving forward with intent, but not at the cost of judgment. It reminds us that rushing decisions, whether in business or life, often creates mistakes that take longer to fix, while careful planning and steady execution save time in the long run. The lesson is about discipline: acting with urgency, yet allowing space for thought, consultation and clarity, so outcomes are sustainable rather than short-lived.

Link to India’s global trade strategy

Sharing the thought in the context of the India–EU free trade agreement, Mahindra said the philosophy closely matches India’s current stance on international trade. According to him, the country is choosing measured negotiations and long-term interests over hurried deals.

The veteran industrialist suggested that this approach may appear slow on the surface, but it is designed to deliver durable gains for businesses and the economy.

A personal thought with wider meaning

By revisiting his father’s advice, Mahindra turned a personal memory into a broader reflection on leadership, policy and patience. His message underlined that progress does not always come from speed alone, but from knowing when to pause, think and move forward with purpose.