It is difficult to attribute this quote toany particular person. I believe that I have heard it since my early childhood.  Indeed, as we will see in Verse 8* of the Tao, even Lao Tzu was known to utter this sentence.

As a project manager, it is often a good assumption that a late project is going to be less than beneficial for the client.  Most projects are planned with timing in mind.  It can a a time to get to market, a window of opportunity, a demand from a regulatory agency, or simply an annual date that makes its appearance such as April 15.

Within projects, there is also the "timing" of communications.  Besides the communication plan, what timing considerations must be given to both good and bad news that become known between regular reporting cycles.

Within relationships there is timing the discussions of key issues for work and family.  If you are going to maintain the integrity of your relationships, you have to learn how to deliver information to each and every person.

Dr. Covey recommends putting space between the stimulus and the response.  This, too, is timing.  This is allowing your conscious brain to catch up with your unconscious brain that has already decided on a response based on either past experience or deeply buried instincts.  Managing this timing can help avoid apologetic and embarrassing circumstances.

Consider the words of Lao Tzu as you work to perfect the timing of your responses within your daily life.

"Live in accordance with the nature of things:
Build your house on solid ground
Keep your mind still
When giving, be kind
When speaking, be truthful
When ruling, be just
When working, be one-pointed
When acting, remember -- timing is everything"

*Tao Te Ching, The Definitive Edition, Lao Tzu with Translation and Commentary by Jonathan Star, Jeremy P Tarcher/Penguin, 2001, page 21