Lord Katsushige always used to say there are four kinds of retainers. They are the "quick, then lagging", the "lagging, then quick," the "always quick", and the "always lagging."
The "continually quick" are men who when given orders will undertake their execution quickly and settle the matter well. . . .
The "lagging, then quick" are men who, though lacking an understanding when given orders, prepare quickly and bring the matter to a conclusion.
. . .
The "quick, then lagging" aremen who when given orders seem to be going to settle things but in their preparation take time and procrastinate. There are many people like this.
Other than these, one could say that the rest are 'continually lagging."
--
Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai by Yamamoto Tsunetomo. Trans. William Scott Wilson. Kodansha Press. p. 98.

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