Rushing leads to poor results. Work done hastily is likely to be imperfect or incomplete.
The biological observation behind this proverb — that cats born prematurely or delivered too hastily might fail to develop properly — gave Italian speakers a vivid domestic image for the consequences of haste. Whether or not the biology is accurate, the metaphor resonated powerfully in a culture where livestock and domestic animals were observed closely as part of daily life. The proverb appears in Italian collections from the sixteenth century and is generally considered to be of Tuscan or Central Italian origin. It stands as a companion piece to 'Chi va piano va sano e va lontano,' reinforcing the same cultural value of careful, measured effort. The image of the blind kittens — helpless and incomplete — adds a note of pathos that makes the warning more emotionally compelling than a simple instruction to slow down. Italian grandmothers are particularly associated with this saying, using it to caution grandchildren who rush through homework, household tasks, or important decisions. The English 'Haste makes waste' conveys the same warning, though without the vivid animal imagery.
Considered Central Italian or Tuscan in origin; documented in proverb collections from the 1500s.
Rushing a report
Hai finito in fretta e ci sono dieci errori. La gatta frettolosa fa i gattini ciechi.
You rushed and there are ten mistakes. A hasty cat makes blind kittens.
Cooking
Ha alzato il fuoco per cucinare prima e il sugo si è bruciato. La gatta frettolosa fa i gattini ciechi.
She turned up the heat to cook faster and the sauce burned. A hasty cat makes blind kittens.
Assembling furniture
Non leggere le istruzioni e poi ti ritrovi con pezzi avanzati. La gatta frettolosa fa i gattini ciechi.
Don't read the instructions and then you find yourself with pieces left over. A hasty cat makes blind kittens.
Signing a contract
Ha firmato senza leggere — la gatta frettolosa fa i gattini ciechi. Ora ha problemi.
He signed without reading — a hasty cat makes blind kittens. Now he has problems.