“Celerity is never more admired than by the negligent.”
- c. 69 BC – August 10, 30 BC
- Egyptian
- Queen of Egypt, Last Active Ruler of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, Diplomat, Politician
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Quote
“Celerity is never more admired than by the negligent.”
Explanation
This quote reflects a sharp observation about the relationship between speed and carelessness. The word “celerity” means swiftness or rapidity. Cleopatra is suggesting that those who are negligent—who delay, procrastinate, or fail to act—are the ones who most admire quick action in others. It’s a subtle critique of people who idolize what they themselves fail to embody, admiring urgency and decisiveness only because they lack it.
Historically, Cleopatra was a ruler who had to act quickly and strategically in a world dominated by powerful Roman generals. Her survival and influence often depended on decisive timing and swift political maneuvering, whether it was securing her throne, forging alliances, or responding to military threats. In this context, the quote may reflect her awareness that admiration often comes from those too slow or passive to act themselves, and that speed in decision-making is both envied and misunderstood.
Today, the quote remains relevant in fields where decisiveness is essential—business, politics, emergency response, and even personal relationships. Those who fail to prepare or act may find themselves in awe of others who seem to move with purpose and speed. It serves as a reminder that admiring speed is not the same as embodying it, and that true respect for celerity lies in matching it with readiness and responsibility, not merely watching it from a place of inaction.
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