He is the best man who, when making his plans, fears and reflects on everything that can happen to him, but in the moment of action is bold.
Interpretation
A truly wise man carefully considers potential outcomes but acts decisively when the time comes.
This quote emphasizes the balance between careful planning and decisive action. It suggests that a wise person does not shy away from contemplating possible challenges and risks but remains courageous and bold when it is time to act, thereby highlighting the importance of both forethought and courage in successful decision-making.
In practice
During a motivational speech to young entrepreneurs.
The Scythians take kannabis seed, creep in under the felts, and throw it on the red-hot stones. It smolders and sends up such billows of steam-smoke that no Greek vapor bath can surpass it. The Scythians howl with joy in these vapor-baths, which serve them instead of bathing, for they never wash their bodies with water.
The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side, may have had a stroke of luck; but his plan was a bad one nonetheless.
Men trust their ears less than their eyes.
Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks.
The worst pain a man can have is to know much and be impotent to act.
All men's gains are the fruit of venturing.
One of them is knowing the difference between Morality and Wisdom. Morality is temporary, Wisdom is permanent… Ho ho. Take that one to bed with you tonight.
Take a chance on faith - not religion, but faith. Not hope, but faith. I don’t believe in hope. Hope is a beggar. Hope walks through the fire. Faith leaps over it.
Genius is the recovery of childhood at will.
Many people resented my impatience and honesty, but I never cared about acceptance as much as I cared about respect.
Thought expands, but paralyzes; action animates, but narrows.
Evil can be opposed without being mirrored. Oppressors can be resisted without being emulated. Enemies can be neutralized without being destroyed.
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