The devil takes a hand in what is done in haste.

This saying is commonly cited as a Turkish proverb and belongs to a wider Near Eastern and Mediterranean tradition of warning against rash action. In Ottoman/Turkish moral and folk discourse, “the devil” (şeytan) often functions as a personification of temptation, distraction, and the unintended consequences that follow from impatience. The proverb is typically used in everyday counsel—especially in domestic, commercial, or craft settings—when someone is about to decide, speak, or act too quickly. It reflects a cultural emphasis on deliberation and self-control, implying that haste creates openings for error, conflict, or misfortune.

The proverb argues that haste is not merely a practical risk but a moral and psychological vulnerability: when we rush, we become easier to mislead, overlook details, or act from impulse rather than judgment. “The devil takes a hand” suggests that the harmful outcome can feel as if an external force interfered, but the real cause is our own impatience. The line thus encourages prudence, careful workmanship, and measured speech. Its enduring appeal lies in how it frames a common experience—regretting a rushed decision—as a vivid narrative of temptation and sabotage.