--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Cunning has only private selfish aims…" description: "\"Cunning has only private selfish aims, and sticks at nothing which may make them succeed. Discretion has large and extended views, and, like a well-for..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/joseph-addison-377_able_cunning-has-only-private-selfish-aims-an_968686.png" --- # Cunning has only private selfish aims, and sticks at… ![“Cunning has only private selfish aims, and sticks at nothing which may make them succeed. Discretion has large and extended views, and, like a well-formed eye, commands a whole horizon; cunning is a kind of shortsightedness, that discovers the minutest objects which are near at hand, but is not…” quote by Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/joseph-addison-377_able_cunning-has-only-private-selfish-aims-an_968686.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/joseph-addison-377_able_cunning-has-only-private-selfish-aims-an_968686.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64f/joseph-addison-377_able_cunning-has-only-private-selfish-aims-an_968686.png) > “Cunning has only private selfish aims, and sticks at nothing which may make them succeed. Discretion has large and extended views, and, like a well-formed eye, commands a whole horizon; cunning is a kind of shortsightedness, that discovers the minutest objects which are near at hand, but is not able to discern things at a distance.” [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cunning focuses on immediate personal gain, lacking long‑term vision, while discretion sees the broader picture and plans ahead. **In simple terms:** Cunning is short‑sighted; discretion sees far. Key Takeaway Cultivate broad perspective over narrow self‑interest. Themes strategy vision ethics Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - business planning - personal relationships - political decision making Key Concepts shortsightedness foresight holistic thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance immediate advantage with future impact? - When does discretion become indecision? A Different Perspective Cunning can succeed in narrow tasks but may fail in complex, long‑range goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discretion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discretion/) [Horizon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horizon/) ## Related quotes > [Cunning is only the mimic of discretion, and may pass upon weak men in the same manner as vivacity is often mistaken for wit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/cunning-is-only-the-mimic-of-discretion-and-may-pass-upon-weak-men-in/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life; cunning is a kind of instinct, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/discretion-is-the-perfection-of-reason-and-a-guide-to-us-in-all-the-2/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Do you come to a philosopher as to a cunning man, to learn something by magic or witchcraft, beyond what can be known by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hume/do-you-come-to-a-philosopher-as-to-a-cunning-man-to-learn-something/) [David Hume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hume/) > [What is denominated discretion in man we call cunning in brutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/what-is-denominated-discretion-in-man-we-call-cunning-in-brutes/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Courage that grows from constitution very often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it, and when it is only a kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/courage-that-grows-from-constitution-very-often-forsakes-a-man-when/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Though a man has all other perfections, and wants discretion, he will be of no great consequence in the world; but if he has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/though-a-man-has-all-other-perfections-and-wants-discretion-he-will/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The greatest parts, without discretion as observed by an elegant writer, may be fatal to their owner; as Polyphemus, deprived of his eyes, was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/the-greatest-parts-without-discretion-as-observed-by-an-elegant/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The pleasantest part of a man's life is generally that which passes in courtship, provided his passion be sincere, and the party beloved kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/the-pleasantest-part-of-a-man-s-life-is-generally-that-which-passes/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [A man with great talents, but void of discretion, is like Polyphemus in the fable, strong and blind, endued with an irresistible force, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-man-with-great-talents-but-void-of-discretion-is-like-polyphemus-in/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [There are many more shining qualities in the mind of man, but there is none so useful as discretion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-are-many-more-shining-qualities-in-the-mind-of-man-but-there-is/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [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/) > [“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 > [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/) > [Aishwarya, my parent's daughter, has been brought up with enough values inculcated where I will use my discretion in my choices. 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