Men must be decided on what they will not do, and then they are able to act with vigor in what they ought to do.
—Mencius (c.371–c.289 BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
Reconsider, v. To seek a justification for a decision already made.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion.
—Chinese Proverb
We need to decide that we will not go to war, whatever reason is conjured up by the politicians or the media, because war in our time is always indiscriminate, a war against innocents, a war against children
—Howard Zinn (1924–2010) American Historian, Scientist, Social Activist
Make a decision that from now on, your thoughts do not run you, you run your thoughts. From now on, your mind is not the captain of your ship, you are the captain of the ship, and your mind works for you.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
Somewhere along the line of development we discover what we really are and then we make our real decision for which we are responsible. Make that decision primarily for yourself because you can never really live anyone else’s lie, not even your child’s. The influence you exert is through your own life and what you become yourself.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
The more decisions that you are forced to make alone, the more you are aware of your freedom to choose.
—Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) American Novelist, Playwright
Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Frozen in fear, you avoid responsibility because you think your experience is beyond your control. This stance keeps you from making decisions, solving problems, or going after what you want in life.
—David Emerald
When one bases his life on principle, 99 percent of his decisions are already made.
—Unknown
He that cannot decidedly say, “No,” when tempted to evil, is on the highway to ruin. He loses the respect even of those who would tempt him, and becomes but the pliant tool and victim of their evil designs.
—Joel Hawes (1789–1867) American Clergyman
When desperate ills demand a speedy cure, distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
The inability to make a decision has often been passed off as patience.
—Unknown
Some persons are very decisive when it comes to avoiding decisions.
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.
—Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) American Aviator
A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.
—Rita Mae Brown (b.1944) American Writer, Feminist
The block of granite which was an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made. Destiny is made known silently.
—Agnes de Mille (1905–93) American Dancer, Choreographer
No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be….
—Isaac Asimov (1920–92) Russian-born American Writer, Scientist
Everything is something you decide to do, and there is nothing you have to do.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
There are times when a battle decides everything, and there are times when the most insignificant thing can decide the outcome of a battle
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
All my life, whenever it comes time to make a decision, I make it and forget about it.
—Harry S. Truman (1884–1972) American Head of State
A decision made from fear is always the wrong decision.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
There is no more miserable human being than one in whom nothing is habitual but indecision, and for whom the lighting of every cigar, the drinking of every cup, the time of rising and going to bed every day, and the beginning of every bit of work, are subjects of express volitional deliberation.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Decision is the spark that ignites action. Until a decision is made, nothing happens…. Decision is the courageous facing of issues, knowing that if they are not faced, problems will remain forever unanswered.
—Wilferd Arlan Peterson (1900–95) American Author
I decided to devote my life to telling the story because I felt that having survived I owe something to the dead. and anyone who does not remember betrays them again.
—Elie Wiesel (1928–2016) Romanian-American Writer, Professor, Activist
An expert is someone who has succeeded in making decisions and judgements simpler through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore.
—Edward de Bono (1933–2021) Maltese-British Psychologist, Writer
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
Leave a Reply