To withdraw is not to run away, and to stay is no wise action when there is more reason to fear than to hope. ‘Tis the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not venture all his eggs in one basket.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Take a second look … it costs you nothing.
—Chinese Proverb
Caution has its place, no doubt, but we cannot refuse our support to a serious venture which challenges the whole of the personality. If we oppose it, we are trying to suppress what is best in man –his daring and his aspirations. And should we succeed, we should only have stood in the way of that invaluable experience which might have given a meaning to life. What would have happened if Paul had allowed himself to be talked out of his journey to Damascus?
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
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
Put all your eggs in one basket and then watch that basket.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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
Look before you leap; see before you go.
—Thomas Tusser
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
Trust not him that hath once broken faith; he who betrayed thee once, will betray thee again.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
He that is overcautious will accomplish but very little.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Things done well and with care, exempt themselves from fear.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
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
It is well to learn caution by the misfortunes of others.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Don’t throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water.
—Swedish Proverb
The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist