--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To have begun is half the job; be bold…" description: "\"To have begun is half the job; be bold and be sensible.\" — Horace" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/horace-172_boldness_to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-an_1682550.jpg" --- # To have begun is half the job; be bold and be sensible. ![“To have begun is half the job; be bold and be sensible.” quote by Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/horace-172_boldness_to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-an_1682550.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/horace-172_boldness_to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-an_1682550.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/horace-172_boldness_to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-an_1682550.jpg) > “To have begun is half the job; be bold and be sensible.” [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Starting a task is the most difficult part; after that, act boldly but wisely. **In simple terms:** Beginning is hardest; then be brave and sensible. Key Takeaway Begin, then balance courage with sense. Themes initiative courage wisdom Mood determined thoughtful Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - project kickoff - personal goals - public speaking - entrepreneurship - team leadership Key Concepts Stoicism motivation Questions to Reflect On - What tasks have you started but not yet pursued? - How can you ensure sensibility after bold moves? A Different Perspective Boldness can lead to reckless decisions if not tempered. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Begun Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begun-half-279443/) [Bold Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bold-sensible-971855/) [Boldness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boldness/) [Half](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half/) [Half Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/half-job-971857/) [Job Bold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job-bold-971856/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) ## Related quotes > [He who has begun has half done. Dare to be wise -begin!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/he-who-has-begun-has-half-done-dare-to-be-wise-begin/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [What's well begun is half done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/what-s-well-begun-is-half-done/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Dimidium facti qui coepit habet: sapere aude" ("He who has begun is half done: dare to know!").”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/dimidium-facti-qui-coepit-habet-sapere-aude-he-who-has-begun-is-half/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [He who would begun has half done. Dare to be wise; begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/he-who-would-begun-has-half-done-dare-to-be-wise-begin/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Learning to earn a living is only half the job. The other half is to make life worthwhile and meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sai-baba/learning-to-earn-a-living-is-only-half-the-job-the-other-half-is-to/) [Sai Baba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sai-baba/) > [“Understanding human needs is half the job of meeting them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adlai-e-stevenson/understanding-human-needs-is-half-the-job-of-meeting-them/) [Adlai E. Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adlai-e-stevenson/) > [“Self belief is half the job done. Rest is your hard work.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saru-singhal/self-belief-is-half-the-job-done-rest-is-your-hard-work/) [Saru Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saru-singhal/) > [“Books are only half our job ; the other half is human nature.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-virginia-provines/books-are-only-half-our-job-the-other-half-is-human-nature/) [Mary Virginia Provines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-virginia-provines/) > [When you get a good script, and the director gives you proper lines, half your job is done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anushka-shetty/when-you-get-a-good-script-and-the-director-gives-you-proper-lines/) [Anushka Shetty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anushka-shetty/) > [I had a job at a movie theater for like a year and a half and then a job at a health food store…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-watts/i-had-a-job-at-a-movie-theater-for-like-a-year-and-a-half-and-then-a/) [Reggie Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-watts/) > [To me, the costume does half the job for you, or even more than half of the job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-dynevor/to-me-the-costume-does-half-the-job-for-you-or-even-more-than-half-of/) [Phoebe Dynevor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-dynevor/) > [This applies to many film jobs, not just editing: half the job is doing the job, and the other half is finding ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-murch/this-applies-to-many-film-jobs-not-just-editing-half-the-job-is-doing/) [Walter Murch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-murch/) > [A work well begun is half-ended.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/a-work-well-begun-is-half-ended/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Well begun is not only half done, but often fully cooked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-o-malley/well-begun-is-not-only-half-done-but-often-fully-cooked/) [Austin O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-o-malley/) > [When the ancients said a work well begun was half done, they meant to impress the importance of always endeavoring to make a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/polybius/when-the-ancients-said-a-work-well-begun-was-half-done-they-meant-to/) [Polybius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/polybius/) ## More by Horace > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Finxerunt animi, raro et perpauca loquentis. (To action little, less to words inclinded.)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/finxerunt-animi-raro-et-perpauca-loquentis-to-action-little-less-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [No verse can give pleasure for long, nor last, that is written by drinkers of water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/no-verse-can-give-pleasure-for-long-nor-last-that-is-written-by/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Fate with impartial hand turns out the doom of high and low; her capacious urn is constantly shaking the names of all mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/fate-with-impartial-hand-turns-out-the-doom-of-high-and-low-her/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [A word, once sent abroad, flies irrevocably.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/a-word-once-sent-abroad-flies-irrevocably/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“Natales grate numeras? (Do you count your birthdays with gratitude?)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/natales-grate-numeras-do-you-count-your-birthdays-with-gratitude/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ In a moment comes either death or joyful victory. \[Lat., Horae Momento cita mors venit aut victoria laeta.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/in-a-moment-comes-either-death-or-joyful-victory-lat-horae-momento/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori - It is a sweet and becoming thing to die for ones country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/dulce-et-decorum-est-pro-patria-mori-it-is-a-sweet-and-becoming-thing/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [ Neither men, nor gods, nor booksellers' shelves permit ordinary poets to exist. \[Lat., Mediocribus esse poetis Non homines, non di, non concessere columnae.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/neither-men-nor-gods-nor-booksellers-shelves-permit-ordinary-poets-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/don-t-yield-to-that-alluring-witch-laziness-or-else-be-prepared-to/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Avoid inquisitive persons, for they are sure to be gossips, their ears are open to hear, but they will not keep what is entrusted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/avoid-inquisitive-persons-for-they-are-sure-to-be-gossips-their-ears/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [“You may drive out Nature with a pitchfork, yet she still will hurry back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/you-may-drive-out-nature-with-a-pitchfork-yet-she-still-will-hurry/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [There is a proper measure in all things, certain limits beyond which and short of which right is not to be found. Who so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/there-is-a-proper-measure-in-all-things-certain-limits-beyond-which/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Never despair while under the guidance and auspices of Teucer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/never-despair-while-under-the-guidance-and-auspices-of-teucer/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Alas, Postumus, the fleeting years slip by, nor will piety give any stay to wrinkles and pressing old age and untamable death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/alas-postumus-the-fleeting-years-slip-by-nor-will-piety-give-any-stay/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) [Explore all 1,000 Horace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## More Boldness quotes > [The boldness of asking deep questions may require unforeseen flexibility if we are to accept the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-greene/the-boldness-of-asking-deep-questions-may-require-unforeseen/) [Brian Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-greene/) > [Question with boldness, hold to the truth, and speak without fear,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/question-with-boldness-hold-to-the-truth-and-speak-without-fear/) [Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/) > [There are those that say, if you do the uncomfortable thing long enough, it will become comfortable. But we are really not encouragers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-hicks/there-are-those-that-say-if-you-do-the-uncomfortable-thing-long/) [Esther Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-hicks/) > ['Raaz Reboot' doesn't have extreme boldness, but I was apprehensive about the kissing scenes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kriti-kharbanda/raaz-reboot-doesn-t-have-extreme-boldness-but-i-was-apprehensive/) [Kriti Kharbanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kriti-kharbanda/) > [It doesn't take courage to drink too much and be wild or jump around. That doesn't take any kind of boldness, just riding a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelina-jolie/it-doesn-t-take-courage-to-drink-too-much-and-be-wild-or-jump-around/) [Angelina Jolie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelina-jolie/) > [“Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” W. H. Murray, The Scottish Himalayan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-williams/whatever-you-can-do-or-dream-you-can-begin-it-boldness-has-genius/) [Mark Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-williams/) > [“Be calm; yet assertive. Be meek; yet courageous. Be gentle; yet bold. Be kind; yet strong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-f-glassman-2/be-calm-yet-assertive-be-meek-yet-courageous-be-gentle-yet-bold-be/) [Charles F Glassman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-f-glassman-2/) > [“In your darkest times, never be afraid. The Lord's presence is always with you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/in-your-darkest-times-never-be-afraid-the-lord-s-presence-is-always/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“The boldness and strength and happiness that were natural to me and to which I was denying their natural outlet refused to be denied…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-butler-hathaway/the-boldness-and-strength-and-happiness-that-were-natural-to-me-and/) [Katharine Butler Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-butler-hathaway/) > [I think naturally, if you're an actor, there's a high level of assertiveness that you need to have to survive this business. There's boldness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-cranston/i-think-naturally-if-you-re-an-actor-there-s-a-high-level-of/) [Bryan Cranston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-cranston/) > [The galleries are full of critics. They play no ball, they fight no fights. They make no mistakes because they attempt nothing. Down in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-m-shoup/the-galleries-are-full-of-critics-they-play-no-ball-they-fight-no/) [David M. Shoup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-m-shoup/) > [“Always be bold in everything you do, because boldness has genius, power and magic in it which makes impossibility possible”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adedayo-kingjerry/always-be-bold-in-everything-you-do-because-boldness-has-genius-power/) [Adedayo kingjerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adedayo-kingjerry/) > [“The smaller the creature, the bolder its spirit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-smaller-the-creature-the-bolder-its-spirit/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“I think I'm more curious than I used to be - curious about why people live like they do and how they make sense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-williams/i-think-i-m-more-curious-than-i-used-to-be-curious-about-why-people/) [Dee Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-williams/) > [Inhibition is no good provider for a needy man, Inhibition, which does men great harm and great good. Inhibition attaches to poverty, boldness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/inhibition-is-no-good-provider-for-a-needy-man-inhibition-which-does/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) [Browse all 433 Boldness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boldness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To have begun is half the job; be bold and be sensible.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Horace" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-and-be-sensible/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Boldness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-and-be-sensible/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/horace-172_boldness_to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-an_1682550.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/horace-172_boldness_to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-an_1682550.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/horace-172_boldness_to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-an_1682550.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To have begun is half the job; be bold and be sensible.” — Horace", "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": "Horace", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To have begun is half the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-and-be-sensible/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/to-have-begun-is-half-the-job-be-bold-and-be-sensible/#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 } } ] } ```