William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Dispatch
388. Dispatch is a great and good Quality in an Officer; where Duty, not Gain, excites it. But of this, too many make their private Market and Over-plus to their Wages. Thus the Salary is for doing, and the Bribe, for dispatching the Business: As if Business could be done before it were dispatched: Or what ought to be done, ought not to be dispatch’d: Or they were to be paid apart, one by the Government, t’other by the Party.
389. Dispatch is as much the Duty of an Officer, as doing; and very much the Honor of the Government he serves.
390. Delays have been more injurious than direct Injustice.
391. They too often starve those they dare not deny.
392. The very Winner is made a Loser, because he pays twice for his own; like those that purchase Estates Mortgaged before to the full Value.
393. Our Law says well, to delay Justice is Injustice.
394. Not to have a Right, and not to come at it, differs little.
395. Refuse or Dispatch is the Duty and Wisdom of a good Officer.