Decision Quote by William Murray, 1st Earl of Mansfield
“Decide promptly, but never give any reasons for your decisions. Your decisions may be right, but your reasons are sure to be wrong.”
About This Quote
Source Legal Treatise: Commentaries on the Law, 1760
Decisions should be swift and decisive; rationales are often flawed and can undermine authority.
In simple terms: Act quickly, don’t over‑explain.
Key Takeaway
Make firm choices, accept uncertainty.
Themes
decision‑making
authority
law
leadership
Mood
analytical
cautious
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- business leadership
- judicial rulings
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
pragmatism
cognitive bias
judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it wise to explain a decision?
- How do you handle regret after a choice?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on intuition can lead to errors.
