Leopold II Quotes

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

Wise men say nothing in dangerous times.

One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.

It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.

More firm and sure the hand of courage strikes, when it obeys the watchful eye of caution.

Discretion shall preserve you.

Work all by counsel and you shall not rue.

Force without wisdom fall of its own weight.

A wise man will keep his Suspicions muzzled, but he will keep them awake.

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

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

Know when to speak - for many times it brings danger, to give the best advice to kings.

The time comes upon every public man when it is best for him to keep his lips closed.

I really believe my greatest service is in the many unwise steps I prevent.

Not every truth is the better for showing its face undisguised; and often silence is the wisest thing for a man to heed.

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

You know, I have found out in the course of a long public life that the things I did not say never hurt me.

Be discreet in all things, and so render it unnecessary to be mysterious.

Valor by itself may be respected but without wisdom and calculation it does not lead anywhere.

Send a wise man and don't advise him. He should know what to do.

Princes need, in tender matters and ticklish times, to beware what they say.

[Describing her role:] It's like running a big corporation and a little country at the same time.

There is not only a right thing to do. There is a right time to do it.

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