English writer J. R. R. Tolkien (1892-1973) wrote in The Fellowship of the Ring, the first part of The Lord of the Rings (spoken by Sam to Frodo):
“It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish, as my old gaffer used to say.”
The saying has been used in business, usually changed slightly to, “It’s a job that’s never started that takes the longest to finish.” The saying has been printed on posters and ecards.
Wikipedia: J. R. R. Tolkien
John Ronald Reuel Tolkien CBE FRSL (/ˈtɒlkiːn/;[a] 3 January 1892 – 2 September 1973) was an English writer, poet, philologist, and university professor who is best known as the author of the classic high-fantasy works The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion.
Wikiquote: The Fellowship of the Ring
The Fellowship of the Ring (1954); first of three volumes in The Lord of the Rings books by J. R. R. Tolkien. It contains Book I: The Ring Sets Out and Book II: The Ring Goes South.
(...)
The Mirror of Galadriel
It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish.
. Attributed by Sam to his “old gaffer”
Google Books
>i>The Fellowship of the Ring:
Being the first part of The Lord of the Rings
By J. R. R. Tolkien
London: G. Allen & Unwin
1954
Pg. 376:
’It’s the job that’s never started as takes longest to finish, as my old gaffer used to say.’
18 July 1974, Lima (OH) News, Earl WIlson syndicated entertainment column, pg. B11, col. 5:
REMEMBERED QUOTE: “It’s the job that’s never started that takes longest to finish.”—J. R. Tolkien.
Google Books
String Of Pearls:
Recipes For Living Well In The Real World
By JoAnna M. Lund and Barbara Alpert
New York, NY: Penguin
2002
Pg. ?:
It’s a job that’s never started that takes the longest to finish. —J. R. R. TOLKIEN
Google Books
Inspiring Creativity:
An Anthology of Powerful Insights and Practical Ideas to Guide You to Successful Creating
By Rick Benze
Playa del Rey, CA: Creativity Coaching Association Press
2005
Pg. 55:
It’s a job that’s never started that takes the longest to finish. - J. R. R. Tolkien
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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