Michael Deaver Quotes

It is a wise man who knows where courage ends and stupidity begins.

Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.

Prudence is not hesitation, procrastination, or moderation. It is not driving in the middle of the road. It is not the way of ambivalence, indecision, or safety.

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.

Knowing when to leave may be the smartest thing anyone can learn.

An impatient person plays differently than a more patient person.

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

It needs courage to throw oneself forward, but it needs no less to hold oneself back.

We have exercised restraint and adopted a wise and sane policy. But this should never be construed as weakness…

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

Stepping out of the spotlight when it's prudent to do so is a good thing.

Before you speak, listen. Before you write, think. Before you spend, earn. Before you invest, investigate. Before you criticize, wait. Before you pray, forgive. Before you quit, try. Before you retire, save. Before you die, give.

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

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

There's still the part of me that wants to leap at every opportunity, but now there's the other side that says, 'Let's just wait a minute and see what happens.' That's intuition, and it comes with age and experience.

Notable talents are not necessarily connected with discretion.

To act wisely when the time for action comes, to wait patiently when it is time for repose, put man in accord with the tides. Ignorance of this law results in periods of unreasoning enthusiasm on the one hand, and depression on the other.

He is the best man who, when making his plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen to him, but in the moment of action is bold.

I would rather stop too soon than too late.

Don't taunt the alligator until after you've crossed the creek.

Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.

If the impulse to daring and bravery is too fierce and violent, stay it with guidance and instruction.

At times it is folly to hasten at other times, to delay. The wise do everything in its proper time.

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

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