Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Think carefully before acting, but once the moment to act comes, commit fully without hesitation.
In plain terms
Plan ahead, but act decisively when the time is right.
What can you take from it?
Balance deliberation with decisive action.

Where it applies

  • strategic planning
  • crisis management
  • personal goals

Putting it to work

  • make choices confidently
  • avoid overthinking
  • execute plans

Questions to consider

  • When have you hesitated too long?
  • How do you know when to stop planning?

Another view

Some situations require immediate reflex rather than prior thought.

More from Andrew Jackson

  1. It is a damn poor mind indeed which can't think of at least two ways to spell any word.

    Permalink to quote #16
  2. I did not hang Calhoun and shoot Clay.

    Permalink to quote #18
  3. Peace, above all things, is to be desired, but blood must sometimes be spilled to obtain it on equable and lasting terms.

    Permalink to quote #15

Related quotes

  1. The second best decision in time is infinitely better than the perfect decision too late.

    Omar BradleyOmar Bradley quote #7
  2. Life is made up of a series of judgments on insufficient data, and if we waited to run down all our doubts, it would flow past us.

    Learned HandLearned Hand quote #17
  3. The keen spirit Seizes the prompt occasion, makes the thought Start into instant action, and at once Plans and performs, resolves and executes!

    Hannah MoreHannah More quote #1