--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Take Time by the forelock. It is also the…" description: "\"Take Time by the forelock. It is also the safest part to take a serpent by.\" — Henry David Thoreau" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_take-time-by-the-forelock-it-is-also-the_440269.jpg" --- # Take Time by the forelock. It is also the safest part to… ![“Take Time by the forelock. It is also the safest part to take a serpent by.” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_take-time-by-the-forelock-it-is-also-the_440269.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_take-time-by-the-forelock-it-is-also-the_440269.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/henry-david-thoreau-20_action_take-time-by-the-forelock-it-is-also-the_440269.jpg) > “Take Time by the forelock. It is also the safest part to take a serpent by.” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Taking time to confront a problem directly is both bold and safe, akin to seizing a serpent by its head. **In simple terms:** Confront challenges head‑on for safety and boldness. Key Takeaway Face challenges directly and confidently. Themes courage strategy risk self‑reliance philosophy Mood thoughtful inspirational cautious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career decision making - conflict resolution - personal growth Key Concepts risk assessment personal agency symbolic action Questions to Reflect On - What risks are worth confronting directly? - How can you assess safety before acting? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can lead to unnecessary danger. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Forelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forelock-245960/) [Forelock Safest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forelock-safest-3861946/) [Safest Serpent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/safest-serpent-3861945/) [Serpent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serpent/) [Take time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Forelock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-forelock-245956/) ## Related quotes > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Take Time by the forelock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thales/take-time-by-the-forelock/) [Thales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thales/) > [Seize time by the forelock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pittacus-of-mytilene/seize-time-by-the-forelock/) [Pittacus of Mytilene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pittacus-of-mytilene/) > [It seems no more than right that men should seize time by the forelock, for the rude old fellow, sooner or later, pulls all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-d-prentice/it-seems-no-more-than-right-that-men-should-seize-time-by-the/) [George D. 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A famous piece of antique scripture representing a priest of that name and his two sons in the folds of two enormous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/laocoon-n-a-famous-piece-of-antique-scripture-representing-a-priest/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [An arrow may fly through the air and leave no trace; but an ill thought leaves a trail like a serpent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-mackay/an-arrow-may-fly-through-the-air-and-leave-no-trace-but-an-ill/) [Charles Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-mackay/) > [“Intellectualism is a poor master over passion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/twe-stephens/intellectualism-is-a-poor-master-over-passion/) [Twe Stephens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/twe-stephens/) > [Let me explain: there are dragons, and then there are drakons. Drakons are several millennia older than dragons, andmuch larger. 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