---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To defeat Fortune, men must anticipate…"
description: "\"“To defeat Fortune, men must anticipate such evils before they arise, and take prudent steps to avoid them. When the waters have already risen, it is t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/niccolo-machiavelli-368_too-late_to-defeat-fortune-men-must-anticipate-su_1269552.jpg"
---

#  To defeat Fortune, men must anticipate such evils before…

![“To defeat Fortune, men must anticipate such evils before they arise, and take prudent steps to avoid them. When the waters have already risen, it is too late to build dikes and embankments.” quote by Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/niccolo-machiavelli-368_too-late_to-defeat-fortune-men-must-anticipate-su_1269552.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/niccolo-machiavelli-368_too-late_to-defeat-fortune-men-must-anticipate-su_1269552.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9b6/niccolo-machiavelli-368_too-late_to-defeat-fortune-men-must-anticipate-su_1269552.jpg)

> ““To defeat Fortune, men must anticipate such evils before they arise, and take prudent steps to avoid them. When the waters have already risen, it is too late to build dikes and embankments.””

[Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

One must foresee and prevent problems before they become crises, rather than reacting after damage is done.

**In simple terms:** Prevent problems before they happen.

Key Takeaway

Plan ahead, act early.

Themes

risk management strategy prevention

Mood

cautious strategic

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

- business planning
- public policy
- personal finance
- disaster preparedness

Key Concepts

political foresight preventive action

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you identify hidden risks?
- What early actions could avert a looming crisis?

A Different Perspective

Even with foresight, unforeseen events can still occur.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

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> [“Men readily listen" to Utopias, "and are easily induced to believe that in some wonderful manner everybody will become everybody's friend, especially when someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/men-readily-listen-to-utopias-and-are-easily-induced-to-believe-that/)

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## More by Niccolò Machiavelli

> [Men generally decide upon a middle course, which is most hazardous, for they know neither how to be entirely good nor entirely bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/men-generally-decide-upon-a-middle-course-which-is-most-hazardous-for/)

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