Tacitus Quotes

Discretion--humble as it seems, it has often brought about successes in which talent failed and genius did not succeed. Discretion in the great affairs of the world does wonders, and safety depends frequently and is chiefly derived from it....

Force without wisdom fall of its own weight.

The rest is a mere matter of detail, to be settled with judgment, discretion, and caution.

Be prudent in your use of military force to achieve any laudable objective.

Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

Time and again, players lose because they make rash decisions. Therefore, you always have to remind yourself - don't hurry. Embarking on a risky combination that cannot be calculated to the end is certainly not the right thing to do.

Survey and test a prospective action before undertaking it. Before you proceed, step back and look at the big picture, lest you act rashly on raw impulse.

Where wisdom is called for, force is of little use.

Prudence is the footprint of Wisdom.

[Prudence] replaces [strength] by saving the man who has the misfortune of not possessing it from most occasions when it's needed.

Swift calls discretion low prudence; it is high prudence, and one of the most important elements entering into either social or political life.

It may be taken for granted that, rash as Americans usually are, when they are prudent, there is good reason for it.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.

Where men of judgment creep and feel their way, The positive pronounce without dismay.

Think today and speak tomorrow

Work all by counsel and you shall not rue.

They are circumspect to do their actions by advise and councell, and not rashly or inconsiderately

An old warrior is never in haste to strike the blow.

It is never well to take drastic action, if the result can be achieved with equal efficiency with less drastic action..

Often, foreign policy - which, by definition, is largely out of American control - is simply a matter of not doing the wrong thing, the unwise thing.

Unrestrained zeal to make the world better could make it worse. Promoting democracy must be undertaken with humility, care, and wisdom.

Being prudent does not mean being fearful.

There's a difference between having an edge and being stupid.

Prudence is the virtue of the senses. It is the science of appearances. It is the outmost action of the inward life.