Want of prudence is too frequently the want of virtue; nor is there on earth a more powerful advocate for vice than poverty.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Prudence is the virtue by which we discern what is proper to do under various circumstances in time and place.
—John Milton (1608–74) English Poet, Civil Servant, Scholar, Debater
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 (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
Those who, in the confidence of superior capacities or attainments, neglect the common maxims of life, should be reminded that nothing will supply the want of prudence; but that negligence and irregularity, long continued, will make knowledge useless, wit ridiculous, and genius contemptible.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
There is no amount of praise which is not heaped on prudence; yet there is not the most insignificant event of which it can make us sure.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Prudence is a duty which we owe ourselves, and if we will be so much our own enemies as to neglect it, we are not to wonder if the world is deficient in discharging their duty to us; for when a man lays the foundation of his own ruin, others too often are apt to build upon it.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Rashness belongs to youth; prudence to old age.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The prudent, penniless beginner in the world labors for wages for a while, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land for himself another while, and at length hires another new beginner to help him. This is the just, and generous and prosperous system which opens the way to all, gives hope to all, and consequently energy, and progress, and improvement of conditions to all.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
The bounds of a man’s knowledge are easily concealed if he has but prudence.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
Prudence and compromise are necessary means, but every man should have an impudent end which he will not compromise.
—Charles Cooley (1864–1929) American Sociologist
The richest endowments of the mind are temperance, prudence, and fortitude. Prudence is a universal virtue, which enters into the composition of all the rest; and where she is not, fortitude loses its name and nature.
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
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 Bourne (1886–1918) American Writer, Scholar
Prudence is the necessary ingredient in all the virtues, without which they degenerate into folly and excess.
—Jeremy Collier (1650–1726) Anglican Church Historian, Clergyman
Courage is rarely reckless or foolish … courage usually involves a highly realistic estimate of the odds that must be faced.
—Margaret Truman (1924–2008) American Singer, Writer, Historian
If the prudence of reserve and decorum dictates silence in some circumstances, in others prudence of a higher order may justify us in speaking our thoughts.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
It is a truth but too well known, that rashness attends youth, as prudence does old age.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
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 (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
Prudent men lock up their motives, letting only their familiars have a key to their hearts as to their garden.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
Chance fights ever on the side of the prudent.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
There is nothing more imprudent than excessive prudence.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Valour lies just halfway between rashness and cowardice.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Prudence is a rich, ugly, old maid courted by incapacity.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
The rules of prudence, in general, like the laws of the stone tables, are for the most part prohibitive.—Thou shalt not, is their characteristic formula; and it is an especial part of Christian prudence that it should be so.
—Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772–1834) English Poet, Literary Critic, Philosopher
Never speak of a rope in the family of one who has been hanged.
—French Proverb
He that is overcautious will accomplish but very little.
—Friedrich Schiller (1759–1805) German Poet, Dramatist
Nothing can be done quickly and prudently at the same time.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
Prudent people are very happy; ’tis an exceeding fine thing, that’s certain, but I was born without it, and shall retain to my day of Death the Humour of saying what I think.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best of hearts.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
Men of sense often learn from their enemies.—It is from their foes, not their friends, that cities learn the lesson of building high walls and ships of war; and this lesson saves their children, their homes, and their properties.
—Aristophanes (447–386 BCE) Greek Comic Playwright
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 (1709–84) British Essayist
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 (1469–1527) Florentine Political Philosopher
Aristotle is praised for naming fortitude as the first of the virtues; but he might, with propriety, have placed prudence before it, since without prudence fortitude is madness.
—Samuel Griswold Goodrich (1793–1860) American Publisher, Writer
No other protection is wanting, provided you are under the guidance ot prudence.
—Juvenal (c.60–c.136 CE) Roman Poet
The one prudence in life is concentration; the one evil is dissipation.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
That man is prudent who neither hopes nor fears anything from the uncertain events of the future.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
To the timid and hesitating everything is impossible because it seems so.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
Prudence is a quality incompatible with vice, and can never be effectively enlisted in its cause.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman