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About this quote

What does it mean?
Prepare for bad outcomes while maintaining hope for good ones.
In plain terms
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
What can you take from it?
Balance caution with optimism.

Where it applies

  • crisis planning
  • decision making
  • life challenges

Putting it to work

  • make contingency plans
  • stay positive

Questions to consider

  • How much should you prepare?
  • Is hope a strategy?

Another view

This stance can sometimes lead to underestimating risks.

More from Benjamin Disraeli

  1. 'What is care?' asked the Princess, with a smile. 'It is a god', replied the Physician, 'invisible, but omnipotent. It steals the bloom from the cheek and ligh…

    Permalink to quote #71
  2. Despair is the conclusion of fools.

    Permalink to quote #73
  3. I suppose, to use our national motto, something will turn up.

    Permalink to quote #70

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