--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Irresolution is a worse vice than…" description: "\"Irresolution is a worse vice than rashness. He that shoots best may sometimes miss the mark; but he that shoots not at all can never hit it. Irresoluti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/owen-feltham-9361_action_irresolution-is-a-worse-vice-than-rashne_2154457.jpg" --- # Irresolution is a worse vice than rashness. He that shoots… ![“Irresolution is a worse vice than rashness. He that shoots best may sometimes miss the mark; but he that shoots not at all can never hit it. Irresolution loosens all the joints of a state; like an ague, it shakes not this nor that limb, but all the body is at once in a fit. The irresolute man is…” quote by Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/owen-feltham-9361_action_irresolution-is-a-worse-vice-than-rashne_2154457.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/owen-feltham-9361_action_irresolution-is-a-worse-vice-than-rashne_2154457.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5fc/owen-feltham-9361_action_irresolution-is-a-worse-vice-than-rashne_2154457.jpg) > “Irresolution is a worse vice than rashness. He that shoots best may sometimes miss the mark; but he that shoots not at all can never hit it. Irresolution loosens all the joints of a state; like an ague, it shakes not this nor that limb, but all the body is at once in a fit. The irresolute man is lifted from one place to another; so hatcheth nothing, but addles all his actions.” [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Indecision weakens a nation more than reckless action; without effort nothing is achieved, while rashness may still yield results. **In simple terms:** Indecision harms more than rashness; effort is needed. Key Takeaway Act decisively, even if imperfect. Themes indecision action national stability effort risk Mood cautious reflective serious Type advisory philosophical political When to use this quote - government policy - personal goals - team projects - creative endeavors Key Concepts political theory human behavior decision making Questions to Reflect On - How does hesitation affect collective outcomes? - When is rashness justified? A Different Perspective Indecision can paralyze and cause chaos if not managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Vices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vices/) ## Related quotes > [“It's worse to irresolute than wrong.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr-2/it-s-worse-to-irresolute-than-wrong/) [William Strunk Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr-2/) > [I did not know till now how irresolute a character was mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-sheridan-le-fanu/i-did-not-know-till-now-how-irresolute-a-character-was-mine/) [Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-sheridan-le-fanu/) > [It is worse to be irresolute than to be wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-strunk-jr/it-is-worse-to-be-irresolute-than-to-be-wrong/) [William Strunk, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-strunk-jr/) > [Irresolution and mutability are often the faults of men whose views are wide, and whose imagination is vigorous and excursive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/irresolution-and-mutability-are-often-the-faults-of-men-whose-views/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Irresolution on the schemes of life which offer themselves to our choice, and inconstancy in pursuing them, are the greatest causes of all our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/irresolution-on-the-schemes-of-life-which-offer-themselves-to-our/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-henry/shall-we-gather-strength-by-irresolution-and-inaction/) [Patrick Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-henry/) > [In matters of great concern, and which must be done, there is no surer argument of a weak mind than irresolution; to be undetermined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tillotson/in-matters-of-great-concern-and-which-must-be-done-there-is-no-surer/) [John Tillotson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tillotson/) > [Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and give us victories.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/beware-of-rashness-but-with-energy-and-sleepless-vigilance-go-forward/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [None are rash when they are not seen by anybody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanis-aw-i-leszczy-ski/none-are-rash-when-they-are-not-seen-by-anybody/) [Stanisław I Leszczyński](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanis-aw-i-leszczy-ski/) > [I know no real worth but that tranquil firmness which seeks dangers by duty, and braves them without rashness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanis-aw-i-leszczy-ski/i-know-no-real-worth-but-that-tranquil-firmness-which-seeks-dangers/) [Stanisław I Leszczyński](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanis-aw-i-leszczy-ski/) > [Reckless haste makes poor speed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/reckless-haste-makes-poor-speed/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Rashness is oftener the resort of cowardice than of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/rashness-is-oftener-the-resort-of-cowardice-than-of-courage/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [True valor lies in the middle between cowardice and rashness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/true-valor-lies-in-the-middle-between-cowardice-and-rashness/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [Now see what a Christian is, drawn by the hand of Christ. He is a man on whose clear and open brow God has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-william-robertson/now-see-what-a-christian-is-drawn-by-the-hand-of-christ-he-is-a-man/) [Frederick William Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-william-robertson/) > [Intemperance is naturally punished with diseases; rashness, with mischance; injustice; with violence of enemies; pride, with ruin; cowardice, with oppression; and rebellion, with slaughter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/intemperance-is-naturally-punished-with-diseases-rashness-with/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) ## More by Owen Feltham > [The boundary of man is moderation. When once we pass that pale our guardian angel quits his charge of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/the-boundary-of-man-is-moderation-when-once-we-pass-that-pale-our/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Of all trees, I observe God hath chosen the vine, a low plant that creeps upon the helpful wall; of all beasts, the soft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/of-all-trees-i-observe-god-hath-chosen-the-vine-a-low-plant-that/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [To go to law is for two persons to kindle a fire, at their own cost, to warm others and singe themselves to cinders;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/to-go-to-law-is-for-two-persons-to-kindle-a-fire-at-their-own-cost-to/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Virtue is the truest liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/virtue-is-the-truest-liberty/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Fear, if it be not immoderate, puts a guard about us that does watch and defend us; but credulity keeps us naked, and lays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/fear-if-it-be-not-immoderate-puts-a-guard-about-us-that-does-watch/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Where there is plenty, charity is a duty, not a courtesy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/where-there-is-plenty-charity-is-a-duty-not-a-courtesy/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Meditation is the soul's perspective glass, whereby, in her long remove, she discerneth God, as if He were nearer at hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/meditation-is-the-soul-s-perspective-glass-whereby-in-her-long-remove/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Truth and fidelity are the pillars of the temple of the world; when these are broken, the fabric falls, and crushes all to pieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/truth-and-fidelity-are-the-pillars-of-the-temple-of-the-world-when/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [There is no one subsists by himself alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/there-is-no-one-subsists-by-himself-alone/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Promises may get friends, but it is performance that must nurse and keep them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/promises-may-get-friends-but-it-is-performance-that-must-nurse-and/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [It is rare to see a rich man religious; for religion preaches restraint, and riches prompt to unlicensed freedom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/it-is-rare-to-see-a-rich-man-religious-for-religion-preaches/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Pleasures can undo a man at any time, if yielded to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/pleasures-can-undo-a-man-at-any-time-if-yielded-to/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Human life has not a surer friend, nor oftentimes a greater enemy, than hope. It is the miserable man's god, which in the hardest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/human-life-has-not-a-surer-friend-nor-oftentimes-a-greater-enemy-than/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [Negligence is the rust of the soul that corrodes through all her best resolves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/negligence-is-the-rust-of-the-soul-that-corrodes-through-all-her-best/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) > [To be gentle is the test of a lady.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-feltham/to-be-gentle-is-the-test-of-a-lady/) [Owen Feltham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) [Explore all 73 Owen Feltham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-feltham/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. 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Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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