Publilius Syrus Quotes

A MAN FEARED A man feared that he might find an assassin; Another that he might find a victim. One was more wise than the other.

There is less danger in fearing too much than too little.

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

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

You must never underestimate your opposition.

Fear is the mother of foresight.

I fear, my Lords, it is too much the temper of this country to be insensible of the approach of danger, until it comes with accumulated terror upon us.

He that fears danger in time seldom feels it.

Fear is good and useful when it's deployed on the side of common sense.

It is the enemy you underestimate who kills you.

It is the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not to venture all his eggs in one basket.

It pays to be prepared.

A wise man does not trust all his eggs to one basket.

There's a time for daring and there's a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for.

The wise duck keeps his mouth shut when he smells frogs.

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

Sometimes, fear is good. Sometimes it's a good thing to have a little bit of a reality check.

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

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.

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

To withdraw is not to run away, and to stay is no wise action, when there's more reason to fear than to hope.

Flee an enemy who knows your weakness.

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

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

Fear is not the best advisor.