All we see of someone at any moment is a snapshot of their life, there in riches or poverty, in joy or despair. Snapshots don’t show the million decisions that led to tht moment.
—Richard Bach (b.1936) American Novelist, Aviator
Some people, however long their experience or strong their intellect, are temperamentally incapable of reaching firm decisions.
—James Callaghan (1912–2005) British Labour Statesman, Prime Minister
Choice of attention – to pay attention to this and ignore that – is to the inner life what choice of action is to the outer. In both cases, a man is responsible for his choice and must accept the consequences, whatever they may be.
—W. H. Auden (1907–73) British-born American Poet, Dramatist
When, against one’s will, one is high pressured into making a hurried decision, the best answer is always No, because No is more easily changed to Yes, than Yes is changed to No.
—Charles Erwin Wilson (1890–1961) American Businessperson
The difference is wide that sheets will not decide.
—English Proverb
Man is a reasoning, rather than a reasonable, animal.
—Alexander Hamilton (c.1757–1804) American Federalist Politician, Statesman
All our final decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to last.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Everything is something you decide to do, and there is nothing you have to do.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
When making a decision of minor importance, I have always found it advantageous to consider all the pros and cons. In vital matters, however, such as the choice of a mate or a profession, the decision should come from the unconscious, from somewhere within ourselves. In the important decisions of personal life, we should be governed, I think, by the deep inner needs of our nature.
—Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian Psychiatrist, Psychoanalytic
Statistics are no substitute for judgment.
—Henry Clay (1777–1852) American Politician
Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide … And the choice goes by forever ‘twixt that darkness and that light.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Indecision is like a stepchild: if he does not wash his hands, he is called dirty, if he does, he is wasting water.
—African Proverb
It doesn’t matter which side of the fence you get off on sometimes. What matters most is getting off. You cannot make progress without making decisions.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
In many lines of work, it isn’t how much you do that counts, but how much you do well and how often you decide right.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Alternatives, and particularly desirable alternatives, grow only on imaginary trees.
—Saul Bellow (1915–2005) Canadian-American Novelist
Quick decisions are unsafe decisions.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
The best we can do is size up the chances, calculate the risks involved, estimate our ability to deal with them, and then make our plans with confidence.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
What must be shall be; and that which is a necessity to him that struggles, is little more than choice to him that is willing.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable.
—Laurence J. Peter (1919–90) Canadian-born American Educator, Author
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Using the power of decision gives you the capacity to get past any excuse to change any and every part of your life in an instant.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Between two stools one sits on the ground.
—French Proverb
You cannot sell the cow and sup the milk.
—Unknown
You are the handicap you must face. You are the one who must choose your place.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
To know just what has do be done, then to do it, comprises the whole philosophy of practical life.
—William Osler (1849–1919) Canadian Physician
God offers to every mind its choice between truth and repose. Take which you please—you can never have both.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide; In the strife of Truth with Falsehood, for the good or evil side.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Life is just an endless chain of judgements…. The more imperfect our judgement, the less perfect our success.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Logic pervades the world; the limits of the world are also the limits of logic.
—Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889–1951) Austrian-born British Philosopher
Wisdom consists in being able to distinguish among dangers and make a choice of the least harmful.
—Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Leave a Reply