Deliberate with caution, but act with decision; and yield with graciousness, or oppose with firmness.

In human affairs of danger and delicacy successful conclusion is sharply limited by hurry. So often men trip by being in a rush. If one were properly to perform a difficult and subtle act, he should first inspect the end to be achieved and then, once he had accepted the end as desirable, he should forget it completely and concentrate solely on the means. By this method he would not be moved to false action by anxiety or hurry or fear. Very few people learn this.

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

One of our national characteristics is not to do things without careful deliberation. Those who are privileged to direct the aspirations of a quarter of the world’s population have a wonderful opportunity but a fearful responsibility.

The strokes of the pen need deliberation as much as the sword needs swiftness.

What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence.

In matrimony, to hesitate is sometimes to be saved.

You have too much at stake to hesitate. You ought not to think an hour upon the matter, but to spring to action at once. Other states have been invaded, have likewise driven off the invaders. Now our time and turn is come, and perhaps the finishing stroke is reserved for us. When we look back on the dangers we have been saved from, and reflect on the success we have been blessed with, it would be sinful either to be idle or to despair.

Don’t think. Act. We can always revise and revisit once we’ve acted. But we can accomplish nothing until we act.

When we experience confusion, we should wait rather than act. If circumstances make it impossible not to act, we should seek pockets of clarity and act only in those areas. (p121)

We ought not to decide hastily against the words of an Act of Parliament.

[W]e cannot think first and act afterwards. From the moment of birth we are immersed in action, and can only fitfully guide it by taking thought.

Don’t delay acting on a good idea. Chances are someone else has just thought of it, too. Success comes to the one who acts first.

We must be impatient with our actions and patients with results