Prudence Quotes

In ethics, prudence is not an important virtue, but in the world it is almost everything.

I mention this only to shew that the citations of the most judicious authors frequently deceive us, and consequently that prudence obliges us to examine quotations, by whomsoever alleged.

Nothing can be done quickly and prudently at the same time.

Thin-lipped wisdom spoke at her from the worn chair, hinted at prudence, quoted from that book of cowardice whose author apes the name of common sense.

The eye of prudence may never shut.

I hate to see prudence clinging to the green suckers of youth; 'tis like ivy round a sapling, and spoils the growth of the tree.

Where passion leads or prudence points the way.

All men of conscience or prudence ply to windward, to maintain their wars to be defensive.

[T]he importance of piety and religion; of industry and frugality; of prudence, economy, regularity and an even government; all . . . are essential to the well-being of a family.

Frugality may be termed the daughter of Prudence, the sister of Temperance, and the parent of Liberty.

The great end of prudence is to give cheerfulness to those hours which splendor cannot gild, and acclamation cannot exhilarate.

Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.

The rules of prudence, like the laws of the stone tables, are for the most part prohibitive. "Thou shalt not" is their characteristic formula.

Genius always gives its best at first; prudence, at last.

Whoe'er imagines prudence all his own, Or deems that he hath powers to speak and judge Such as none other hath, when they are known, They are found shallow.

Prudence is but experience, which equal time equally bestows on all men in those things they equally apply themselves unto.

The less prudence with which others conduct their affairs, the greater the prudence with which we should conduct our own affairs.

Prudence is one of the virtues which were called cardinal by the ancient ethical writers.

Common sense is a phrase employed to denote that degree of intelligence, sagacity, and prudence which is common to all men.

Cowardice is not synonymous with prudence. It often happens that the better part of discretion is valor.

Prudence supposes the value of the end to be assumed, and refers only to the adaptation of the means. It is the relation of right means for given ends.

Pedantry prides herself on being wrong by rules; while common sense is contented to be right without them.

Do you come to a philosopher as to a cunning man, to learn something by magic or witchcraft, beyond what can be known by common prudence and discretion?

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.

Prudence, patience, labor, valor; these are the stars that rule the career of mortals.

The ordinary saying is, Count money after your father; so the same prudence adviseth to measure the ends of all counsels, though uttered by never so intimate a friend.

I have the consolation to believe, that, while choice and prudence invite me to quit the political scene, patriotism does not forbid it.

Surprise is the enemy of prudence.

It is good the have a hatch before the durre.

One has no protecting power save prudence. [Lat., Nullum numen habes si sit prudentia.]

I prefer silent prudence to loquacious folly. [Lat., Malo indisertam prudentiam, quam loquacem stultitiam.]

Prudence does not save us, but shows us pictures of our destroyers.

The limits of prudence: one cannot jump out of a burning building gradually.

Imprudence relies on luck, prudence on method. That gives prudence less edge than it expects.

Dine on little, and sup on less.

There's other ways to protect yourself and your family, Arlen. Wisdom. Prudence. Humility. It's not brave to fight a battle you can't win.

It is prudence that first forsakes the wretched.

Prudence, like experience, must be paid for.

Prudence is sometimes stretched too far, until it blocks the road of progress.

A woman's best qualities are harmful if undiluted with prudence.

The moderate are not usually the most sincere, for the same circumspection which makes them moderate makes them likewise retentive of what could give offence.

As love increases, prudence diminishes.

There is no praise we have not lavished upon prudence; and yet she cannot assure to us the most trifling event.

Low inflation and government prudence may be harmful for economic development.

When we are young we lay up for old age; when we are old we save for death.

Too many expedients may spoil an affair. [Fr., Le trop d'expedients peut gater une affaire.]

The tragic hero prefers death to prudence. The comedian prefers playing tricks to winning. Only the villain really plays to win.

It's a question of prudence. Nobody has a high opinion of fishwives but who would dare offend them while walking through the fish market.

Forethought and prudence are the proper qualities of a leader. [Lat., Ratio et consilium, propriae ducis artes.]

The common man prays, 'I want a cookie right now!' And God responds, 'If you'd listen to what I say, tomorrow it will bring you 100 cookies.