Apprehension Quote by Francesco Guicciardini
“To relinquish a present good through apprehension of a future evil is in most instances unwise ... from a fear which may afterwards turn out groundless, you lost the good that lay within your grasp.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Storia d'Italia by Francesco Guicciardini, 1540
Avoid giving up a current benefit out of fear of future loss, especially when that fear may be unfounded.
In simple terms: Don't lose what you have because of imagined future threats.
Key Takeaway
We present gains, assess real risks.
Themes
prudence
fear
decision‑making
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
practical
advisory
When to use this quote
- financial planning
- health choices
- relationship decisions
Key Concepts
Risk assessment
temporal discounting
Questions to Reflect On
- What present good are you risking?
- Is your fear based on evidence?
A Different Perspective
Fear can be irrational and lead to missed opportunities.
![“There is no evil in human affairs that has not some good mingled with it. [It., Non e male alcuno nelle cose umane che non abbia congiunto seco qualche bene.]” quote by Francesco Guicciardini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/596/francesco-guicciardini-20043_affair_there-is-no-evil-in-human-affairs-that-h_1158114.jpg)
![“Keep your eye fixed not so much on what they [people] ought in reason to do, as on what they are likely to do based on their disposition and habits.” quote by Francesco Guicciardini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/62a/francesco-guicciardini-20043_disposition_keep-your-eye-fixed-not-so-much-on-what_1842454.jpg)
