Reconsider, v. To seek a justification for a decision already made.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
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
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
When you have to make a choice and don’t make it, that is in itself a choice.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
The inability to make a decision has often been passed off as patience.
—Unknown
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, Political Scientist, Social Activist
Some persons are very decisive when it comes to avoiding decisions.
—Brendan Behan (1923–64) Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright
You can actually shift your thinking in such a way as to make a wrong decision or mistake an impossibility.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help 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
Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way. I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!”
—William Hutchinson Murray (1913–96) Scottish Mountaineer
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
All our final decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to last.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
Don’t you ever wonder maybe if you took a left turn instead of a right you could be someone different?
—Unknown
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
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
In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one.
—Rita Mae Brown (b.1944) American Writer, Feminist
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
Quick decisions are unsafe decisions.
—Sophocles (495–405 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.
—Tony Robbins (b.1960) American Self-Help Author, Entrepreneur
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
When one bases his life on principle, 99 percent of his decisions are already made.
—Unknown
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
Decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free.
—Paul Tillich (1886–1965) American Lutheran Theologian, Philosopher
Whenever you see a successful business, someone once made a courageous decision.
—Peter Drucker (1909–2005) Austrian-born Management Consultant
When desperate ills demand a speedy cure, distrust is cowardice, and prudence folly.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
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
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 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