wise discretion Quotes

I do not fight battles that cannot be won. Do not confuse that with cowardice.

The wise man knows when to keep silent. Only the fool tells all he knows.

Note that venerable proverb: Children and fools always speak the truth. The deduction is plain: adults and wise persons never speak it.

You must labour to acquire that great and uncommon talent of hating with good breeding, and loving with prudence; to make no quarrel irreconcilable by silly and unnecessary indications of anger; and no friendship dangerous, in care it breaks, by a wanton, indiscreet, and unreserved confidence.

Courage is a virtue only so far as it is directed by prudence.

The wise man is seldom prudent.

Every man, in proportion to his virtue, considers himself, with respect to the great community of mankind, as the steward and guardian of their interests in the property which he chances to possess. Every man, in proportion to his wisdom, sees the manner in which it is his duty to employ the resources which the consent of mankind has intrusted to his discretion.

Knowing when to keep your mouth shut is invariably more important than opening it at the right time.

A wise man should never resolve upon anything, at least, never let the world know his resolution, for if he cannot reach that he is ashamed.

A judicious silence is always better than truth spoken without charity.

A person who is discreet in speaking will be useful during the good times and will avoid punishment during the bad.

Miracle workers learn to keep their own counsel. Something that's important to know about spiritual wisdom is that, when spoken at the wrong time, in the wrong place, or to the wrong person, the one who speaks sounds more like a fool than a wise one.

We have the authority to take action, but responsible authority means not only being able to take action, but knowing when and how to take that action.

In dealing with a man who thinks you are a fool, it is good sometimes to remind him that you know what he knows but have chosen to appear foolish for the sake of peace.