--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Zeal should not outrun discretion." description: "\"Zeal should not outrun discretion.\" — Aesop" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/aesop-1073_discretion_zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion-280744_2807441.jpg" --- # Zeal should not outrun discretion. ![“Zeal should not outrun discretion.” quote by Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/aesop-1073_discretion_zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion-280744_2807441.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/aesop-1073_discretion_zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion-280744_2807441.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/aesop-1073_discretion_zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion-280744_2807441.jpg) > “Zeal should not outrun discretion.” [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acting with enthusiasm without thoughtful judgment can lead to reckless outcomes. **In simple terms:** Don't act rashly without thought. Key Takeaway Balance passion with prudence. Themes wisdom self‑control decision‑making Mood cautious thoughtful Type advice maxim When to use this quote - personal projects - team leadership - financial investing Key Concepts ethics impulse control Questions to Reflect On - How can you check your enthusiasm before acting? - What safeguards help keep excitement in check? A Different Perspective Passion alone cannot guarantee success. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discretion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretion/) [Outrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outrun/) [Outrun Discretion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outrun-discretion-3495283/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Zeal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zeal/) [Zeal Outrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zeal-outrun-3495284/) ## Related quotes > [Our mere anticipations of life outrun its realities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/our-mere-anticipations-of-life-outrun-its-realities/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [“You know your Bible too well and life too little.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-llewellyn/you-know-your-bible-too-well-and-life-too-little/) [Richard Llewellyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-llewellyn/) > [The generous wish to share with all what is precious, to spread broadcast priceless truths, to shut out none from the illumination of true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/the-generous-wish-to-share-with-all-what-is-precious-to-spread/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [“You can't outrun the history train”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/you-can-t-outrun-the-history-train/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [The number of people that can reason well is much smaller than those that can reason badly. If reasoning were like hauling rocks, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/the-number-of-people-that-can-reason-well-is-much-smaller-than-those/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [It can't be outmatched, It can't be outrun...No](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linkin-park/it-can-t-be-outmatched-it-can-t-be-outrun-no/) [Linkin Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linkin-park/) > [We can outrun the wind and the storm, but we cannot outrun the demon of hurry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burroughs/we-can-outrun-the-wind-and-the-storm-but-we-cannot-outrun-the-demon/) [John Burroughs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burroughs/) > [For more than twenty-five years my mind had been deeply troubled by the fact that these mechanical and scientific achievements ofman had outrun his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-gildersleeve/for-more-than-twenty-five-years-my-mind-had-been-deeply-troubled-by/) [Virginia Gildersleeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-gildersleeve/) > [No one can outrun death. It will catch up to all of us eventually.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/no-one-can-outrun-death-it-will-catch-up-to-all-of-us-eventually/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Among wolves, no matter how sick, no matter how cornered, no matter how alone, afraid or weakened, the wolf will continue.She will lope even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarissa-pinkola-estes/among-wolves-no-matter-how-sick-no-matter-how-cornered-no-matter-how/) [Clarissa Pinkola Estes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarissa-pinkola-estes/) > [Either a good or a bad reputation outruns and gets before people wherever they go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/either-a-good-or-a-bad-reputation-outruns-and-gets-before-people/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I surprised myself with my ability to run. It's kind of like tippy toe running. I would not be able to outrun Indominus Rex,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-pratt/i-surprised-myself-with-my-ability-to-run-it-s-kind-of-like-tippy-toe/) [Chris Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-pratt/) > [The means by which we live have outdistanced the ends for which we live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-means-by-which-we-live-have-outdistanced-the-ends-for-which-we/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Gail Anderson-Dargatz has a noticing eye, a voice as unique as the countryside she writes about, and a heart large enough to love her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-hodgins/gail-anderson-dargatz-has-a-noticing-eye-a-voice-as-unique-as-the/) [Jack Hodgins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-hodgins/) > [Local and state governments have outrun the federal government. The EPA has served notice that it will enact a rule requiring CO2 reductions by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/local-and-state-governments-have-outrun-the-federal-government-the/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) ## More by Aesop > [“Lay not the blame on me, O sailor, but on the winds. By nature I am as calm and safe as the land itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/lay-not-the-blame-on-me-o-sailor-but-on-the-winds-by-nature-i-am-as/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [It is in vain to expect our prayers to be heard, if we do not strive as well as pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/it-is-in-vain-to-expect-our-prayers-to-be-heard-if-we-do-not-strive/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Beware of a wolf in sheep's clothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/beware-of-a-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Better a long life of toil than a short one of ease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/better-a-long-life-of-toil-than-a-short-one-of-ease/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Don't let your special character and values, the secret that you know and no one else does, the truth - don't let that get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/don-t-let-your-special-character-and-values-the-secret-that-you-know/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Every man carries two bags about him, one in front and one behind, and both are full of faults. The bag in front contains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/every-man-carries-two-bags-about-him-one-in-front-and-one-behind-and/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [It pays to be content with your lot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/it-pays-to-be-content-with-your-lot/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Be content with your lot; one cannot be first in everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/be-content-with-your-lot-one-cannot-be-first-in-everything/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Equals make the best friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/equals-make-the-best-friends/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [once upon a time all the rivers combined to protest against the action of the sea in making their waters salt. "When we come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/once-upon-a-time-all-the-rivers-combined-to-protest-against-the/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [In union there is strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/in-union-there-is-strength/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [“Be content with your lot; once cannot be first in everything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/be-content-with-your-lot-once-cannot-be-first-in-everything/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [False friends leave you in times of trouble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/false-friends-leave-you-in-times-of-trouble/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [Better beans and bacon in peace than cakes and ale in fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/better-beans-and-bacon-in-peace-than-cakes-and-ale-in-fear/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) > [“The Sun is bad enough even while he is single, drying up our marshes with his heat as he does. But what will become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/the-sun-is-bad-enough-even-while-he-is-single-drying-up-our-marshes/) [Aesop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) [Explore all 297 Aesop quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/) ## More Discretion quotes > [The policeman on the beat or in the patrol car makes more decisions and exercises broader discretion affecting the daily lives of people every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-e-burger/the-policeman-on-the-beat-or-in-the-patrol-car-makes-more-decisions/) [Warren E. Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [Aishwarya, my parent's daughter, has been brought up with enough values inculcated where I will use my discretion in my choices. At the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/aishwarya-my-parent-s-daughter-has-been-brought-up-with-enough-values/) [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aishwarya-rai-bachchan/) > [The fleet sailed to its war base in the North Sea, headed not so much for some rendezvous with glory as for rendezvous with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/the-fleet-sailed-to-its-war-base-in-the-north-sea-headed-not-so-much/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [“All sexual activity performed is at the discretion of the participants and is confined to only one hour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-a-miles/all-sexual-activity-performed-is-at-the-discretion-of-the/) [Karen A.Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-a-miles/) > [The first principle of solid wisdom is discretion, without it all the erudition of life is merely bagatelle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norm-macdonald/the-first-principle-of-solid-wisdom-is-discretion-without-it-all-the/) [Norm MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norm-macdonald/) > [ Forgiveness is the best part of valor...Discretion is easy. It's finding the courage to forgive yourself and others that is hard. \[Acheron\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/forgiveness-is-the-best-part-of-valor-discretion-is-easy-it-s-finding/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [Instead of a perpetual and perfect measure of the divine will, the fragments of the Koran were produced at the discretion of Mahomet; each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/instead-of-a-perpetual-and-perfect-measure-of-the-divine-will-the/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [“Commonality & Camaraderie. By identifying, developing, and connecting powerful points of reference to others, you will have a rich resource of information from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/commonality-camaraderie-by-identifying-developing-and-connecting/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [We lay aside letters never to read them again, and at last we destroy them out discretion, and so disappears the most immediate breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-lay-aside-letters-never-to-read-them-again-and-at-last-we-destroy/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Drunkenness is the very sepulcher Of man's wit and his discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-chaucer/drunkenness-is-the-very-sepulcher-of-man-s-wit-and-his-discretion/) [Geoffrey Chaucer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-chaucer/) > [Great is our admiration of the orator who speaks with fluency and discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/great-is-our-admiration-of-the-orator-who-speaks-with-fluency-and/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Be not too tame neither, but let your own Discretion be your tutor; suit the action to the word, the word to the action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/be-not-too-tame-neither-but-let-your-own-discretion-be-your-tutor/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [O sir, you are old; nature in you stands on the very verge of her confine; you should be ruled and led by some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-sir-you-are-old-nature-in-you-stands-on-the-very-verge-of-her/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I have tales to tell, but I don't tell them. Discretion. Discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-peck/i-have-tales-to-tell-but-i-don-t-tell-them-discretion-discretion/) [Gregory Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-peck/) > [When you learn to discipline your tongue, you'll stop scrutinizing, judging and condemning others. You'll then focus on your own weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/when-you-learn-to-discipline-your-tongue-you-ll-stop-scrutinizing/) [Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/) [Browse all 364 Discretion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Zeal should not outrun discretion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Aesop" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discretion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/aesop-1073_discretion_zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion-280744_2807441.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/aesop-1073_discretion_zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion-280744_2807441.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/666/aesop-1073_discretion_zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion-280744_2807441.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Zeal should not outrun discretion.” — Aesop", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Aesop", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aesop/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Zeal should not outrun discretion.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aesop/zeal-should-not-outrun-discretion/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```