Literally, “it's no use running, one has to leave on time”. From the fable Le Lièvre et la Tortue by Jean de La Fontaine. From that same fable, see also train de sénateur.
- IPA(key): /ʁjɛ̃ n(ə) sɛʁ də ku.ʁiʁ | il fo paʁ.tiʁ a pwɛ̃/
rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir à point
- slow and steady wins the race; more haste, less speed