The hurried cat produces blind kittens — rushing important processes produces flawed or incomplete results. Haste is an enemy of quality, particularly when what is being created requires time, care, and completion to function properly.
The image is precise and slightly shocking: a cat that rushes its labour produces kittens born prematurely, unable to open their eyes. The natural process of gestation and birth, when rushed, produces something incomplete, unable to function in the world. This was the farmer's observation translated into a general law: everything that requires a natural process of development — cheese, wine, crops, children, relationships, plans — produces something deficient when rushed. The proverb was used by craftsmen who refused to hurry good work, by cooks who would not reduce the cooking time, by mothers who told young women not to rush into marriage. The 'gatta frettolosa' became a standard Sicilian image for the impatient person who produces inferior results.
A Sicilian proverb about the consequences of rushing natural processes, using the vivid image of a cat's premature birth. 'Gatta frettolosa' = gatta frettolosa (hurried cat), 'catareddi orbi' = gattini ciechi (blind kittens). Collected in rural folk archives across Sicily.
About a rushed software launch that had major bugs
Hanno rilasciato prima del tempo perché c'era pressione. A gatta frettolosa fa i catareddi orbi — adesso hanno mille problemi da sistemare.
They released before time because of pressure. The hurried cat produces blind kittens — now they have a thousand problems to fix.
A baker refusing to rush his bread
Non posso lievitare il pane in un'ora. A gatta frettolosa fa i catareddi orbi — il pane buono vuole il suo tempo.
I cannot proof the bread in one hour. The hurried cat produces blind kittens — good bread needs its time.
Advising someone not to rush a new relationship
Non ti precipitare. A gatta frettolosa fa i catareddi orbi — lascia che le cose si sviluppino al loro ritmo.
Do not rush. The hurried cat produces blind kittens — let things develop at their own rhythm.
After a poorly planned project created more work
Hanno deciso in fretta senza studiare bene il problema. A gatta frettolosa fa i catareddi orbi — ora rifanno tutto da capo.
They decided quickly without studying the problem properly. The hurried cat produces blind kittens — now they do everything again from the start.