Cautious Decision Quotes

I’d rather be slow and right, than be fast and dead.

I won't jump two-footed into something without really thinking about it.

I grow more conservative every day on the question of removals. On ex parte statements, I have made mistakes in removing men who, perhaps, ought to have been retained, and in appointing wrong men. Not many removals have been made. Less than any Administration since John Q. Adams. But I shall be more cautious in future; make removals only in clear cases, and appoint only on the best and fullest evidence of fitness.

We conservatives don't have a corner on saying 'no'. We're just the ones who say it when it's the right thing to say.

Occasionally and frequently the exercise of the judgment ought to end in absolute reservation. It may be very distasteful, and great fatigue, to suspend a conclusion; but as we are not infallible, so we ought to be cautious; we shall eventually find our advantage, for the man who rests in his position is not so far from right as he who, proceeding in a wrong direction, is ever increasing his distance.

The advice of friends must be received with a judicious reserve; we must not give ourselves up to it and follow it blindly, whether right or wrong.

In this world second thoughts, it seems, are best.

I am reluctant to judge things without being informed.

Don't swap horses in crossing a stream.

I determine nothing; I do not comprehend things; I suspend judgment; I examine.

Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don't make.

The traveller must, of course, always be cautious of the overly broad generalisation. But I am an American, and a paucity of data does not stop me from making sweeping, vague, conceptual statements and, if necessary, following these statements up with troops.

Before I make an action, think about the consequences. ... Any decision I make is a heavy decision.

Communists must always go into the why's and wherefore's of anything, use their own heads and carefully think over whether or not it corresponds to reality and is really well founded; on no account should they follow blindly and encourage slavishness.

I don't want to sound too critical, but we're taking a wait-and-see approach on UltraViolet.

Familiarity with danger makes a brave man braver, but less daring. Thus with seamen: he who goes the oftenest round Cape Horn goes the most circumspectly.

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.

I've learned not to say, 'No, I'd never do that.'

There was a stage in my career, especially with standup, where I felt, because I didn't know why I was doing well, that anyone who would tell me anything; I was sort of like, 'What did they say? Yeah, I'll take that advice.' Now I'm a bit more careful who I choose to listen to.

Father was bold, and Mother was cautious. They never shouted at each other but argued constantly about strategy, and they taught me very early that before taking big risks, one must carefully figure the odds.

I really felt like it was a dangerous trap to get into, having had such great success with 'Wishes,' it just wasn't in my blood not to play it safe and just do that again.

In any organization there ought to be the possibility of discussion... fence sitting is an art, and it's difficult, and it's important to do, rather than to go headlong in one direction or the other. It's just better to have action, isn't it than to sit on the fence? Not if you're not sure which way to go, it isn't.

Look and see which way the wind blows before you commit yourself.

Having already had one glorious marriage, perhaps I ought to count myself lucky and stop while I'm ahead.

Experience is a safe light to walk by, and he is not a rash man who expects to succeed in future from the same means which have secured it in times past.