--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When confronted with two courses of…" description: "\"When confronted with two courses of action I jot down on a piece of paper all the arguments in favor of each one, then on the opposite side I write the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fb/benjamin-franklin-65_action_when-confronted-with-two-courses-of-acti_1381637.jpg" --- # When confronted with two courses of action I jot down on a… ![“When confronted with two courses of action I jot down on a piece of paper all the arguments in favor of each one, then on the opposite side I write the arguments against each one. Then by weighing the arguments pro and con and cancelling them out, one against the other, I take the course indicated…” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fb/benjamin-franklin-65_action_when-confronted-with-two-courses-of-acti_1381637.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fb/benjamin-franklin-65_action_when-confronted-with-two-courses-of-acti_1381637.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4fb/benjamin-franklin-65_action_when-confronted-with-two-courses-of-acti_1381637.jpg) > “When confronted with two courses of action I jot down on a piece of paper all the arguments in favor of each one, then on the opposite side I write the arguments against each one. Then by weighing the arguments pro and con and cancelling them out, one against the other, I take the course indicated by what remains.” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He uses a pros‑cons list to objectively compare options, aiming to let the strongest arguments guide decision‑making. **In simple terms:** Write pros and cons to decide. Key Takeaway Use structured analysis for choices. Themes decision‑making logic clarity Mood analytical pragmatic Type methodical inspirational When to use this quote - personal decisions - business strategy - policy formulation - risk assessment Key Concepts critical thinking cost‑benefit analysis Questions to Reflect On - What criteria weight arguments? - How to handle equally balanced options? A Different Perspective Complex decisions may need more than simple tallying. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Argument](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argument/) [Arguments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguments/) [Decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Opposites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposites/) [Pros and cons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pros-and-cons/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [“Blogging forces you to write down your arguments and assumptions. 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