--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men who are capable of real action first…" description: "\"“Men who are capable of real action first make their plans and then go forward without hesitation while their enemies have still not made up their mind..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b81/thucydides-2578_action_men-who-are-capable-of-real-action-first_938211.png" --- # Men who are capable of real action first make their plans… ![“Men who are capable of real action first make their plans and then go forward without hesitation while their enemies have still not made up their minds.” quote by Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b81/thucydides-2578_action_men-who-are-capable-of-real-action-first_938211.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b81/thucydides-2578_action_men-who-are-capable-of-real-action-first_938211.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b81/thucydides-2578_action_men-who-are-capable-of-real-action-first_938211.png) > ““Men who are capable of real action first make their plans and then go forward without hesitation while their enemies have still not made up their minds.”” [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Effective action follows solid planning; hesitation gives opponents advantage. **In simple terms:** Plan, then act decisively. Key Takeaway Prepare plans and execute without delay. Themes strategy decisiveness conflict Mood analytical determined Type historical strategic When to use this quote - military campaigns - business negotiations - project launches Key Concepts planning momentum psychology of war Questions to Reflect On - What plans have you delayed? - How can you reduce hesitation in critical moments? A Different Perspective Over‑planning can cause paralysis if not followed by swift action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Hesitation Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hesitation-enemies-1582082/) [Men Capable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-capable-522987/) [Plans Forward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plans-forward-1582083/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Real Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-action-644760/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) ## Related quotes > [I think Billy Ray has a lot of great stories up his sleeve. 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Sometimes they have more imagination than men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-johnson/girls-are-capable-of-doing-everything-men-are-capable-of-doing/) [Katherine Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-johnson/) ## More by Thucydides > [Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. 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It makes better sense to be prepared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/hope-is-an-expensive-commodity-it-makes-better-sense-to-be-prepared/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) [Explore all 160 Thucydides quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) ## 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. 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