Occasionally and frequently the exercise of the judgment…
“Occasionally and frequently the exercise of the judgment ought to end in absolute reservation. It may be very distasteful, and great fatigue, to suspend a conclusion; but as we are not infallible, so we ought to be cautious; we shall eventually find our advantage, for the man who rests in his position is not so far from right as he who, proceeding in a wrong direction, is ever increasing his distance.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Judgment should often be reserved; caution prevents error, unlike stubborn certainty.
In simple terms: Reserve judgment to avoid error.
Key Takeaway
Embrace cautious humility.
Themes
judgment
caution
error
humility
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- decision making
- leadership
- research
- personal growth
Key Concepts
critical thinking
epistemic humility
Questions to Reflect On
- When is reservation harmful?
- How to balance caution and action?
A Different Perspective
Over‑caution may stall progress.