William Arthur Ward Quotes

Listen much, keep silent when in doubt, and always take heed of the tongue; thou wilt make few mistakes. See much, beware of pitfalls, and always give heed to thy walk; thou wilt have little to rue. If thy words are seldom wrong, thy deeds leave little to rue, pay will follow.

I believe in practicing prudence at least once every two or three years.

There is great strength in acting boldly but there is also great strength in not acting if the time is not right.

Before we acquire great power we must acquire wisdom to use it well

Have more than thou showest, Speak less than thou knowest, Lend less than thou owest.

Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom's root.

When anger rushes unrestrained to action, like a hot steed, it stumbles on its way. The man of thought strikes deepest and strikes safely.

You don't try to do more than you should.

I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power the greater it will be.

I've learned when to speak out. You do have to learn when to bide your time and when to speak out, and I don't always get it right.

Grant us a brief delay; impulse in everything is but a worthless servant.

You know, there's times when you should play and there's times when you gotta hold back.

Think a lot, say little, and write nothing.

Be not moved alone by heated arguments and thoughts of revenge! These are for the young. We are young no longer; let us think well, and give counsel as old men!

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

Where Mr. McKinley was patient, cautious, tactful and a very good listener…, Roosevelt is impetuous, impatient, and wholly lacking in tact.

Don't ask for a million dollars. Ask for the stuff that'll get you a million dollars - your health, your brain, your sanity, wisdom. Prepare me for when I do get that million. Make sure I don't go crazy, make sure I help my family.

Judgment is not upon all occasions required, but discretion always is.

You can't be going through life expecting everything. You gotta have discipline.

Do not make too much haste on one's road.

Zeal should not outrun discretion.

The wise hand does not all the tongue dictates.

Better sit still, than rise to meet the devil.

Silence is the sanctuary of prudence.

You shouldn't shoot at every opportunity that passes by.