Prudence

Never speak of a rope in the family of one who has been hanged. – Proverb

Prudence is a rich, ugly, old maid courted by incapacity. – William Blake

We can easily become as much slaves to precaution as we can to fear. Although we can never rivet our fortune so tight as to make it impregnible, we may by our excessive prudence squeeze out of the life that we are guarding so anxiously all the adventurous quality that makes it worth living. – Randolph Silliman Bourne

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. – Henry de Bracton

There is nothing more imprudent than excessive prudence. – Charles Caleb Colton

Prudence and compromise are necessary means, but every man should have an impudent end which he will not compromise. – Charles Horton Cooley

Chance fights ever on the side of the prudent. – Euripides

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best of hearts. – Henry Fielding

I believe in practicing prudence at least once every two or three years. – Molly Ivins

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rule of composition; it produces vigilance rather than elevation; rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often miscarriages, but seldom reaches either power or honor. – Samuel Johnson

Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy. – Samuel Johnson

I consider it a mark of great prudence in a man to abstain from threats or any contemptuous expressions, for neither of these weaken the enemy, but threats make him more cautious, and the other excites his hatred, and a desire to revenge himself. – Niccolo Machiavelli

Prudence is the virtue by which we discern what is proper to do under various circumstances in time and place. – John Milton

Prudent people are very happy; tis an exceeding fine thing, thats certain, but I was born without it, and shall retain to my day of Death the Humour of saying what I think. – Mary Wortley Montagu

It is no less a feat to keep what you have, than to increase it. In one there is chance, the other will be a work of art. – Ovid

Nothing can be done quickly and prudently at the same time. – Publilius Syrus

All enterprises that are entered into with indiscreet zeal may be pursued with great vigor at first, but are sure to collapse in the end. – Tacitus