Always count the cost.
—Common Proverb
He that is overcautious will accomplish but very little.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Prudence is but experience, which equal time, equally bestows on all men, in those things they equally apply themselves unto.
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
He is most free from danger, who, even when safe, is on his guard.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Beware of the man who works hard to learn something, learns it, and finds himself no wiser than before. He is full of murderous resentment of people who are ignorant without having come by their ignorance the hard way.
—Kurt Vonnegut (1922–2007) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Don’t throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water.
—Swedish Proverb
Whenever our neighbor’s house is on fire, it cannot be amiss for the engines to play a little on our own. Better to be despised for too anxious apprehensions, than ruined by too confident security.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Take warning by the misfortunes of others, that others may not take example from you.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
Trust not him that hath once broken faith; he who betrayed thee once, will betray thee again.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Those who prepared for all the emergencies of life beforehand may equip themselves at the expense of joy.
—E. M. Forster (1879–1970) English Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist
The torment of precautions often exceeds often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon one’s self to destiny.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Caution is not cowardly. Carelessness is not courage
—Unknown
If one has to jump a stream and knows how wide it is, he will not jump. If he does not know how wide it is, he will jump, and six times out of ten he will make it.
—Persian Proverb
Every human being has, like Socrates, an attendant spirit; and wise are they who obey its signals. If it does not always tell us what to do, it always cautions us what not to do.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Writer
I don’t like these cold, precise, perfect people, who, in order not to speak wrong, never speak at all, and in order not to do wrong, never do anything.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish Poet, Playwright
Caution is crediting, and reserve in speaking, and in revealing one’s self to but very few, are the best securities both of a good understanding with the world, and of the inward peace of our own minds.
—Thomas a Kempis (1379–1471) German Religious Priest, Writer
Beware of one who has nothing to lose.
—Italian Proverb
Be slow of tongue and quick of eye.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
A mousetrap always provides free cheese.
—Unknown
Don’t dance on a volcano.
—French Proverb
The torment of precautions often exceeds the dangers to be avoided. It is sometimes better to abandon one’s self to destiny.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Put all your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Overachievement is aimed at people who want to maximize their potential. And to do that, I insist you throw caution to the wind, ignore the pleas of parents, coaches, spouses, and bosses to be “realistic”. Realistic people do not accomplish extraordinary things because the odds against success stymie them. The best performers ignore the odds. I will show you that instead of limiting themselves to what’s probable, the best will pursue the heart-pounding, exciting, really big, difference-making dreams—so long as catching them might be possible.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
When a fox preaches, take care of your geese.
—Common Proverb
Look twice before you leap.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
Caution is the confidential agent of selfishness.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
Set the foot down with distrust on the crust of the world—it is thin.
—Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892–1950) American Poet, Playwright, Feminist
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