Horace Walpole Quotes

My gran'ther's rule was safer 'n 'tis to crow: Don't never prophesy — onless ye know.

It is wisdom in prosperity, when all is as thou wouldn't have it, to fear and suspect the worst.

The wise does at once what the fool does at last.

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

Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences.

The best of seers is he who guesses well.

We must respect the past, and mistrust the present, if we wish to provide for the safety of the future.

A wise man thinks what is easy is difficult.

I agree with the realistic Irishman who said he preferred to prophesy after the event.

Fear, indeed, is the mother of foresight.

Wisdom prepares for the worst, but folly leaves the worst for the day when it comes.

He who foresees calamities, suffers them twice over.

Precaution is better than cure.

Intelligence recognizes what has happened. Genius recognizes what will happen.

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

I would rather stop too soon than too late.

Prophecy, however honest, is generally a poor substitute for experience.

The wise man does at once what the fool does finally.

Fear is the mother of foresight.

Nine-tenths of wisdom is being wise in time.

I try to prepare for everything beyond the extent of preparation.

That man is prudent who neither hopes nor fears anything from the uncertain events of the future.

Good is the delay which makes sure.

He that fears danger in time seldom feels it.

Unfortunates learn from their own mistakes, and the lucky ones learn from other's mistakes.