--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is only by prudence, wisdom, and…" description: "\"It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds.\" — Napoleo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_dexterity_it-is-only-by-prudence-wisdom-and-dexter_2090268.jpg" --- # It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great… ![“It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds.” quote by Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_dexterity_it-is-only-by-prudence-wisdom-and-dexter_2090268.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_dexterity_it-is-only-by-prudence-wisdom-and-dexter_2090268.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/caa/napoleon-bonaparte-206_dexterity_it-is-only-by-prudence-wisdom-and-dexter_2090268.jpg) > “It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds.” [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success depends on careful judgment, knowledge, and skill; without them, goals fail and challenges remain. **In simple terms:** Prudence, wisdom, and skill are essential for achievement. Key Takeaway Cultivate careful judgment, knowledge, and skill. Themes leadership strategy achievement Mood determined reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - business planning - military campaigns - personal goal setting - problem solving Key Concepts prudent decision‑making wisdom dexterity Questions to Reflect On - How can you develop prudence in daily decisions? - What role does luck play despite skill? A Different Perspective Even with these traits, external factors can still cause failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dexterity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dexterity/) [Obstacles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles/) [Obstacles Overcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obstacles-overcome/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Prudence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prudence/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Men do not fail commonly for want of knowledge, but for want of prudence to give wisdom the preference.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/men-do-not-fail-commonly-for-want-of-knowledge-but-for-want-of/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [It is only with prudence, sagacity, and much dexterity that great aims are accomplished, and all obstacles surmounted. Otherwise nothing is accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/it-is-only-with-prudence-sagacity-and-much-dexterity-that-great-aims/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [“No matter how much the original Rule of St. Francis has changed, I think his spirit and his inspiration are still the fundamental thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/no-matter-how-much-the-original-rule-of-st-francis-has-changed-i/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [It isnt enough to believe in something; you have to have the stamina to meet obstacles and overcome them, to struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/golda-meir/it-isnt-enough-to-believe-in-something-you-have-to-have-the-stamina/) [Golda Meir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/golda-meir/) > [Success is measured not so much by the position that one has reached, but rather by how many obstacles one has had to overcome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/success-is-measured-not-so-much-by-the-position-that-one-has-reached/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [The mere fact that you have obstacles to overcome is in your favor...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-collier/the-mere-fact-that-you-have-obstacles-to-overcome-is-in-your-favor/) [Robert Collier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-collier/) > [“Success is judged not by the position you reach in life but by the obstacles you have overcome.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandeep-jauhar/success-is-judged-not-by-the-position-you-reach-in-life-but-by-the/) Sandeep Jauhar > [You measure the size of the accomplishment by the obstacles you have to overcome to reach your goals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/you-measure-the-size-of-the-accomplishment-by-the-obstacles-you-have/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“Success is not to be measured so much by the status one has attained in life but rather by the obstacles one has overcome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/success-is-not-to-be-measured-so-much-by-the-status-one-has-attained/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Dont give up. Obstacles can be overcome through strategy and learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hidetaka-miyazaki/dont-give-up-obstacles-can-be-overcome-through-strategy-and-learning/) [Hidetaka Miyazaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hidetaka-miyazaki/) > [I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/i-have-learned-that-success-is-to-be-measured-not-so-much-by-the/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [There are going to be times when you learn more about the world you’re entering and feel defeated when you see the gap between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tsugumi-ohba/there-are-going-to-be-times-when-you-learn-more-about-the-world-you/) [Tsugumi Ohba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tsugumi-ohba/) > [If you truly want to measure the success of a man, you do not measure it by a position he has achieved, but by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/if-you-truly-want-to-measure-the-success-of-a-man-you-do-not-measure/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“Intimacy needs time to mature—a shared history, tears shed, obstacles overcome, photographs in an album. It’s a slow-growing plant.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/intimacy-needs-time-to-mature-a-shared-history-tears-shed-obstacles/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [Remember, success is not measured by heights attained but by obstacles overcome. We're going to pass through many obstacles in our lives: good days,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-jenner/remember-success-is-not-measured-by-heights-attained-but-by-obstacles/) [Bruce Jenner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-jenner/) ## More by Napoleon Bonaparte > [He is almost a statesman. He lies well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/he-is-almost-a-statesman-he-lies-well/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Men grow old quickly on the battlefield.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/men-grow-old-quickly-on-the-battlefield/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [The only victories which leave no regret are those which are gained over ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-only-victories-which-leave-no-regret-are-those-which-are-gained/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [When a government is dependent upon bankers for money, they and not the leaders of the government control the situation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/when-a-government-is-dependent-upon-bankers-for-money-they-and-not/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [In the eyes of empire builders men are not men but instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/in-the-eyes-of-empire-builders-men-are-not-men-but-instruments/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [All becomes easy when we follow the current of opinion; it is the ruler of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/all-becomes-easy-when-we-follow-the-current-of-opinion-it-is-the/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [The bullet that will kill me is not yet cast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-bullet-that-will-kill-me-is-not-yet-cast/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Anarchy is the stepping stone to absolute power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/anarchy-is-the-stepping-stone-to-absolute-power/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [A great reputation is a great noise, the more there is of it, and the further does it swell. Land, monuments, Nations, all fall,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-great-reputation-is-a-great-noise-the-more-there-is-of-it-and-the/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Character is victory organized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/character-is-victory-organized/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [Republican despotism is more fertile in acts of tyranny, because everyone has a hand in it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/republican-despotism-is-more-fertile-in-acts-of-tyranny-because/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [My decision to destroy the authority of the blacks in Saint Domingue (Haiti) is not so much based on considerations of commerce and money,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/my-decision-to-destroy-the-authority-of-the-blacks-in-saint-domingue/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [The army is the true nobility of our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-army-is-the-true-nobility-of-our-country/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [There is only one favorable moment in war; talent consists in knowing how to seize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/there-is-only-one-favorable-moment-in-war-talent-consists-in-knowing/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [A great reserve and severity of manners are necessary for the command of those who are older than ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/a-great-reserve-and-severity-of-manners-are-necessary-for-the-command/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) [Explore all 914 Napoleon Bonaparte quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) ## More Dexterity quotes > [Art, if it is successful in the task of questioning reality, if it is good painting and not merely a performance of dexterity, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-swift/art-if-it-is-successful-in-the-task-of-questioning-reality-if-it-is/) [Patrick Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-swift/) > [“It is almost possible to measure a writer's skill by the dexterity with which he repeats, and yet avoids monotony.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-g-williams/it-is-almost-possible-to-measure-a-writer-s-skill-by-the-dexterity/) George G. Williams > [I hate to paint portraits! I hope never to paint another portrait in my life. Portraiture may be all right for a man in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-singer-sargent/i-hate-to-paint-portraits-i-hope-never-to-paint-another-portrait-in/) [John Singer Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-singer-sargent/) > [A big business man was telling Henry Ford about a coach driver of super-expertness with his whip. The driver was telling how he could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/a-big-business-man-was-telling-henry-ford-about-a-coach-driver-of/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [It is only with prudence, sagacity, and much dexterity that great aims are accomplished, and all obstacles surmounted. Otherwise nothing is accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/it-is-only-with-prudence-sagacity-and-much-dexterity-that-great-aims/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [This great increase of the quantity of work which, in consequence of the division of labour, the same number of people are capable of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/this-great-increase-of-the-quantity-of-work-which-in-consequence-of/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [If a shot aimed at aptness succeeds aptly, it is then fully apt, since it is not only apt but also aptly apt. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-sosa/if-a-shot-aimed-at-aptness-succeeds-aptly-it-is-then-fully-apt-since/) [Ernest Sosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-sosa/) > [Some aim to be deft, others to be laboriously careful. Neither dexterity nor conscientiousness is enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chai-lu/some-aim-to-be-deft-others-to-be-laboriously-careful-neither/) Chai Lu > [He who asks fortune-tellers the future unwittingly forfeits an inner intimation of coming events that is a thousand times more exact than anything they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-benjamin/he-who-asks-fortune-tellers-the-future-unwittingly-forfeits-an-inner/) [Walter Benjamin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-benjamin/) > [With Head Off & Split, Nikky Finney establishes herself as one of the most eloquent, urgent, fearless and necessary poets writing in America today.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-dawes/with-head-off-split-nikky-finney-establishes-herself-as-one-of-the/) [Kwame Dawes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-dawes/) > [“True artists do not create to fish for compliments and praises. They create to express the love they have for their craft.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/true-artists-do-not-create-to-fish-for-compliments-and-praises-they/) [Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/) > [Watching a dog try to chew a large piece of toffee is a pastime fit for gods. Mr. Fusspot's mixed ancestry had given him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/watching-a-dog-try-to-chew-a-large-piece-of-toffee-is-a-pastime-fit/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Slowly, but very deliberately, the brooding edifice of seduction, creaking and incongruous, came into being, a vast Heath Robinson mechanism, dually controlled by them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-powell/slowly-but-very-deliberately-the-brooding-edifice-of-seduction/) [Anthony Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-powell/) > [In populous cities, which are the seat of commerce and manufactures, the middle ranks of inhabitants, who derive their subsistence from the dexterity or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/in-populous-cities-which-are-the-seat-of-commerce-and-manufactures/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [What passes in the world for talent or dexterity or enterprise is often only a want of moral principle. We may succeed where others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/what-passes-in-the-world-for-talent-or-dexterity-or-enterprise-is/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) [Browse all 57 Dexterity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dexterity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. 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