--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should do by our cunning as we do by…" description: "\"We should do by our cunning as we do by our courage--always have it ready to defend ourselves, never to offend others.\" — Sir Fulke Greville" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/sir-fulke-greville-15667_courage_we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by_149664.png" --- # We should do by our cunning as we do by our… ![“We should do by our cunning as we do by our courage--always have it ready to defend ourselves, never to offend others.” quote by Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/sir-fulke-greville-15667_courage_we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by_149664.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/sir-fulke-greville-15667_courage_we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by_149664.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/sir-fulke-greville-15667_courage_we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by_149664.png) > “We should do by our cunning as we do by our courage--always have it ready to defend ourselves, never to offend others.” [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Cunning and courage should both be prepared for self‑defense, never used to offend others. **In simple terms:** Use wit and bravery to protect, not attack. Key Takeaway Defend yourself wisely, avoid aggression. Themes defense cunning ethics Mood thoughtful balanced Type advice personal When to use this quote - personal safety - social interactions - legal matters Key Concepts philosophy conflict resolution Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to assert yourself? - How do you balance assertiveness with kindness? A Different Perspective Offense may arise unintentionally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ## Related quotes > [“Have the courage to do what you're not ready to do.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-norton/have-the-courage-to-do-what-you-re-not-ready-to-do/) [Richie Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-norton/) > [“We can’t always be as brave as we want or need to be. We don’t always make the harder choice, the one we know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/we-can-t-always-be-as-brave-as-we-want-or-need-to-be-we-don-t-always/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [I'm ready to defend guys on the perimeter, to battle 7-foot bigs in the post.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-hart/i-m-ready-to-defend-guys-on-the-perimeter-to-battle-7-foot-bigs-in/) [Josh Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-hart/) > [Defend the weak, protect both young and old, never desert your friends. Give justice to all, be fearless in battle and always ready to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-jacques/defend-the-weak-protect-both-young-and-old-never-desert-your-friends-2/) [Brian Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-jacques/) > [Defend the weak, protect both young and old, never desert your friends. Give justice to all, be fearless in battle and always ready to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-jacques/defend-the-weak-protect-both-young-and-old-never-desert-your-friends/) [Brian Jacques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-jacques/) > [We do not want war, but we are ready to defend our citizens, our soldiers, and our sovereignty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoav-gallant/we-do-not-want-war-but-we-are-ready-to-defend-our-citizens-our/) [Yoav Gallant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoav-gallant/) > [Although I am ready to defend what I have said, many people expect me to defend what others have attributed to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/although-i-am-ready-to-defend-what-i-have-said-many-people-expect-me/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [A patriot must always be ready to defend his country against his government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/a-patriot-must-always-be-ready-to-defend-his-country-against-his/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) > [“There is a battle we have to face every single day. There are weapons we have to pick up and be ready to defend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/there-is-a-battle-we-have-to-face-every-single-day-there-are-weapons/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [A cunning mind emphatically delights in its own cunning, and is the ready prey of cunning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-brownell-jameson/a-cunning-mind-emphatically-delights-in-its-own-cunning-and-is-the/) [Anna Brownell Jameson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-brownell-jameson/) > [That humanity and sincerity which dispose men to resist injustice and tyranny render them unfit to cope with the cunning and power of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/that-humanity-and-sincerity-which-dispose-men-to-resist-injustice-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The terrible immoralities are the cunning ones hiding behind masks of morality, such as exploiting people while pretending to help them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vernon-howard/the-terrible-immoralities-are-the-cunning-ones-hiding-behind-masks-of/) [Vernon Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vernon-howard/) > [It is a pity that, commonly, more care is had--yea, and that among very wise men--to find out rather a cunning man for their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ascham/it-is-a-pity-that-commonly-more-care-is-had-yea-and-that-among-very/) [Roger Ascham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ascham/) > [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/) [Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/) > [Charm is a cunning self-forgetfulness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/charm-is-a-cunning-self-forgetfulness/) [Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/) ## More by Sir Fulke Greville > [Removing prejudices is, alas! too often removing the boundary of a delightful near prospect in order to let in a shockingly extensive one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/removing-prejudices-is-alas-too-often-removing-the-boundary-of-a/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [The mind of man is this world's true dimension; and knowledge is the measure of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/the-mind-of-man-is-this-world-s-true-dimension-and-knowledge-is-the/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [A lively and agreeable man has not only the merit of liveliness and agreeableness himself, but that also of awakening them in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/a-lively-and-agreeable-man-has-not-only-the-merit-of-liveliness-and/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [I have often thought that the nature of women was interior to that of men in general, but superior in particular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/i-have-often-thought-that-the-nature-of-women-was-interior-to-that-of/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Good-humor will sometimes conquer ill-humor, but ill-humor will conquer it oftener; and for this plain reason, good-humor must operate on generosity, ill-humor on meanness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/good-humor-will-sometimes-conquer-ill-humor-but-ill-humor-will/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [I hardly know so melancholy a reflection as that parents are necessarily the sole directors of the management of children, whether they have or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/i-hardly-know-so-melancholy-a-reflection-as-that-parents-are/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Respect is better procured by exacting than soliciting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/respect-is-better-procured-by-exacting-than-soliciting-it/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [We laugh heartily to see a whole flock of sheep jump because one did so. Might not one imagine that superior beings do the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/we-laugh-heartily-to-see-a-whole-flock-of-sheep-jump-because-one-did/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [The brains of a pedant however full, are vacant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/the-brains-of-a-pedant-however-full-are-vacant/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [I hardly know a sight that raises one's indignation more than that of an enlarged soul joined to a contracted fortune; unless it be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/i-hardly-know-a-sight-that-raises-one-s-indignation-more-than-that-of/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [I hardly know so true a mark of a little mind as the servile imitation of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/i-hardly-know-so-true-a-mark-of-a-little-mind-as-the-servile/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Unbecoming forwardness oftener proceeds from ignorance than impudence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/unbecoming-forwardness-oftener-proceeds-from-ignorance-than-impudence/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [A proud man never shows his pride so much as when he is civil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/a-proud-man-never-shows-his-pride-so-much-as-when-he-is-civil/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Despair gives the shocking ease to the mind that a mortification gives to the body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/despair-gives-the-shocking-ease-to-the-mind-that-a-mortification/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) > [Our companions please us less from the charms we find in their conversation than from those they find in ours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/our-companions-please-us-less-from-the-charms-we-find-in-their/) [Sir Fulke Greville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) [Explore all 42 Sir Fulke Greville quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/) ## More Courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) James T. Conway > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/) Kristen Armstrong > [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/) [Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/) > [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/) [Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/) [Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We should do by our cunning as we do by our courage--always have it ready to defend ourselves, never to offend others.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sir Fulke Greville" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by-our-courage-always-have-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Courage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by-our-courage-always-have-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/sir-fulke-greville-15667_courage_we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by_149664.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/sir-fulke-greville-15667_courage_we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by_149664.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b93/sir-fulke-greville-15667_courage_we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by_149664.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We should do by our cunning as we do by our courage--always have it ready to defend ourselves, never to…” — Sir Fulke Greville", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sir Fulke Greville", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-fulke-greville/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We should do by our cunning...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by-our-courage-always-have-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-fulke-greville/we-should-do-by-our-cunning-as-we-do-by-our-courage-always-have-it/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```