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We shall both be cautious and confident, and indeed confident because of our caution.
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“We shall both be cautious and confident, and indeed confident because of our caution.”

Epictetus

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Source
Discourses of Epictetus
Date
c. 108
English wording
George Long — Translator · from Ancient Greek
Meaning

Meaning of “We shall both be cautious and confident, and…”

Epictetus rejects confidence as recklessness: confidence becomes rational when caution is directed toward one’s own judgments and choices rather than toward externals that cannot be controlled.

Source context

Where does it come from?

Discourses of Epictetus, Book II, Chapter I, “That confidence (courage) is not inconsistent with caution,” George Long translation; 1877 George Bell & Sons witness on Wikisource, cross-checked against Project Gutenberg #10661. Epictetus distinguishes confidence toward externals from moral caution in the use of one’s own will.

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Themes

Ideas connected with this quotation

Confidence Quotes About Ability & Self-TrustCourage Quotes About Acting Despite FearDecisionDiscipline Quotes About Habits, Practice & ConsistencyInspirational Quotes About Hope, Courage & PossibilitySelf TrustSelf-Control Quotes About Restraint & JudgmentShortStoicStrengthWisdom Quotes About Judgment & Living WellRisk
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Source identified
The better part of valour is discretion.
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“The better part of valour is discretion.”

William Shakespeare · Henry IV, Part 1 · c. 1597
Voice: Fictional character · Falstaff
Meaning & context

Courage is balanced with judgment here: avoiding a needless danger can sometimes be wiser than performing bravery for appearance.

Source details

Henry IV, Part 1, Act V Scene 4; reviewed against the 1917 Yale Shakespeare edition edited by Samuel B. Hemingway, printed page 110 / scan leaf 124. Falstaff says 'The better part of valour is discretion' after counterfeiting death during the battle and immediately boasts that this discretion saved his life. It remains comic fictional self-justification rather than a universal rule for courage or risk.

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To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.
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“To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.”

Confucius · The Analects of Confucius · James Legge translation
Meaning & context

Recognizing the right course is incomplete if fear or convenience prevents a person from acting on that judgment.

Source details

The Analects of Confucius, James Legge’s public-domain English translation; Book II connects moral recognition with the courage required for action.

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