Don't Be Impatient
Be encouraged by this short poem by Daniel Colesworthy. When we feel impatient, we can rush ahead and regret it later. These lines remind us to slow down, think clearly, and wait with wisdom.
Patience is choosing to trust the process, even when the wait feels long.
Updated January 28, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer
Most of us have been there. We want an answer right now. We want results right away. But this poem reminds us that rushing often leads to regret. Patience helps us think clearly, choose wisely, and stay steady when life feels slow.
Don't Be Impatient
Don't be impatient -
Wait, wait, wait:
Than plunge into sorrow,
You would better be late.
By striving
And driving,
The mark is not hit:
'Tis wiser to grope,
And feel for a rope,
Than fall in the pit.
Don't be impatient
Stop and think:
Better have cool moments
On Despondency's brink,
Than leaping
And keeping
In water that's hot.
'Tis wisdom to go
On surely and slow,
Content with your lot.
Don't be impatient
Wait and win:
The last foe approaches,
And the last monster sin.
Pursuing
And doing,
With a firm, steady eye,
And a heart that's true,
You'll dare and do,
And bring glory nigh.
Don't be impatient -
Wait; be still:
Loud voice and great bluster
Are nothing but dumb zeal;
They're louder
And prouder
Than wisdom and strength;
They rise, but, alas!
Bring nothing to pass,
And perish at length.
Don't be impatient -
Wait, wait, wait:
Than plunge into sorrow,
You would better be late.
By racing
And chasing,
You soon lose your ground
Be patient and still;
In good time you will
With Wisdom be found.
Key Messages From This Poem
-
Waiting can protect you from regret.
The poem warns that rushing ahead can lead to sorrow. It reminds us that being a little late is often better than making a mistake we could have avoided.
-
Patience helps you make wiser choices.
When we stop and think, we can respond with a clear mind. The poem shows that calm moments can keep us steady when life feels tense.
-
Slow progress can still be true progress.
The poem encourages moving forward surely and slowly. It is better to keep your footing than to rush and lose your ground.
-
Steady effort wins more than loud words.
Bluster and noise may look strong, but they do not always produce results. The poem teaches that real strength is often quiet and consistent.
-
Patience and wisdom go together.
The poem ends by pointing to wisdom as the reward of waiting. When you are patient and still, you give yourself the chance to be guided well.
Popular Pages
If you enjoyed this poem, you may also like these popular pages that offer steady encouragement for everyday life.
When waiting feels hard, these poems remind us to stay steady and hopeful. A few calm words can help us slow down and choose peace.
Enjoy well known poems that have encouraged readers for years. Each one offers a thought worth holding onto when life feels heavy.
These poems are here to lift your spirit and help you keep going. Read a few lines and feel your perspective brighten.
Find poems that motivate you to press on and do your best. Sometimes one inspiring message is all we need to restart with hope.
This poem looks at impatience and how it can trip us up. It offers gentle reminders to pause, breathe, and respond with care.
Short quotes can give quick encouragement when you feel rushed or frustrated. Keep a few of these sayings close for those waiting moments.
Wisdom grows when we learn from life and choose the better path. These poems share thoughtful guidance you can apply every day.
Need a quick boost to your day. These encouragement quotes offer simple words that help you keep your courage and move forward.
Conclusion
This poem reminds us that waiting is not weakness. Patience helps us avoid mistakes, stay calm, and keep moving forward one step at a time. When we slow down and think, we often find a better path than the one we would have rushed into.
More Famous Poems Of Encouragement to Inspire
When we slow down and wait with care, wisdom often meets us right where we are.