Look before you leap; see before you go.
—Thomas Tusser
There is a significant Latin proverb; to wit: Who will guard the guards?
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
Be slow of tongue and quick of eye.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
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
Don’t throw away the old bucket until you know whether the new one holds water.
—Swedish Proverb
It is the bright day that brings forth the adder, and that craves wary walking.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Open your mouth and purse cautiously; and your stock of wealth and reputation shall, at least in repute, be great.
—Johann Georg Ritter von Zimmermann (1728–1795) Swiss Philosophical Writer, Naturalist, Physician
When clouds are seen wise men put on their cloaks.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
A mousetrap always provides free cheese.
—Unknown
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
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
There is, indeed, nothing that so much seduces reason from vigilance, as the thought of passing life with an amiable woman.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
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
Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
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
Beware of one who has nothing to lose.
—Italian Proverb
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 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
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
Caution is the confidential agent of selfishness.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
Take a second look … it costs you nothing.
—Chinese Proverb
Caution is not cowardly. Carelessness is not courage
—Unknown
Don’t dance on a volcano.
—French Proverb
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
Trust not him that hath once broken faith; he who betrayed thee once, will betray thee again.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
They that are on their guard and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked than the supine, secure and negligent.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Beware of all enterprises that require new clothes.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
He that is overcautious will accomplish but very little.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
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
To fear the worst, oft cures the worst.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Of all the thirty-six alternatives, running away is best.
—Chinese Proverb
Look twice before you leap.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
Caution is the parent of safety.
—Common Proverb
All is to be feared where all is to be lost.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
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
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
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
When a fox preaches, take care of your geese.
—Common Proverb
Beware the hobby that eats.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Be vigilant; guard your mind against negative thoughts.
—Buddhist Teaching
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
Always count the cost.
—Common Proverb
The chief danger in life is that you may take too many precautions.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
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
Things done well and with care, exempt themselves from fear.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
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
It is well to learn caution by the misfortunes of others.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
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