Cautious Quote by Niccolò Machiavelli
““I conclude therefore that, fortune being changeful and mankind steadfast in their ways, so long as the two are in agreement men are successful, but unsuccessful when they fall out. For my part I consider that it is better to be adventurous than cautious, because fortune is a woman, and if you wish to keep her under it is necessary to beat and ill-use her; and it is seen that she allows herself to be mastered by the adventurous rather than by those who go to work more coldly. She is, therefore, always, woman-like, a lover of young men, because they are less cautious, more violent, and with more audacity command her.””
About This Quote
Source Treatise: The Prince, 1513
Fortune favors the bold; daring actions align with chance, while caution leads to missed opportunities.
In simple terms: Boldness wins with fortune.
Key Takeaway
Embrace calculated risk.
Themes
fortune
risk
adventure
leadership
strategy
Mood
inspirational
cautionary
Type
strategic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Politicians
- entrepreneurs
- military leaders
- investors
- artists
Key Concepts
Human nature
chance
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When is caution more prudent than daring?
- How do you balance audacity with responsibility?
A Different Perspective
Boldness can backfire if not tempered by wisdom.
