It is easier to do a job right than to explain why you didn't.
Interpretation
Doing a task correctly is simpler than justifying mistakes.
This quote by Martin Van Buren emphasizes the importance of diligence and competence in any task. It suggests that taking the time to do a job properly will often save one from the complications and difficulties of explaining any failures or shortcomings that arise from negligence or poor execution.
In practice
In a team meeting discussing project deadlines, you might say this quote to encourage thorough work.
To avoid the necessity of a permanent debt and its inevitable consequences, I have advocated and endeavored to carry into effect the policy of confining the appropriations for the public service to such objects only as are clearly with the constitutional authority of the Federal Government.
In time of peace there can, at all events, be no justification for the creation of a permanent debt by the Federal Government. Its limited range of constitutional duties may certainly under such circumstances be performed without such a resort.
The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.
Those who have wrought great changes in the world never succeeded by gaining over chiefs; but always by exciting the multitude. The first is the resource of intrigue and produces only secondary results, the second is the resort of genius and transforms the universe.
I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men, whose superiors it is our happiness to believe are not found on the executive calendar of any country.
The government should not be guided by Temporary Excitement, but by Sober Second Thought.
I accept myself unconditionally right now
If I had more time, I would have written less.
Hurting a man in his dignity is a crime.
When we get to wishing a great deal for ourselves, whatever we get soon turns into mere limitation and exclusion.
Do not put all your eggs in one basket.
Diligence is a very great help even to a mediocre intelligence. -Diligentia maximum etiam mediocris ingeni subsidium
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