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About this quote

What does it mean?
Deceptive and cowardly people act unpredictably and dangerously, like an unseen arrow in the night.
In plain terms
Cowardly and deceitful people are dangerous because you cannot see them coming.
What can you take from it?
Be wary of those who act with hidden malice.

Where it applies

  • negotiations
  • political discourse
  • personal safety

Putting it to work

  • verify intentions
  • observe actions
  • stay alert

Questions to consider

  • How do you spot hidden motives?
  • When does caution become paranoia?

Another view

Not all quiet or indirect people are dangerous.

More from Francis Bacon

  1. Revenge is a kind of wild justice; which the more man's nature runs to, the more ought law to weed it out.

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  2. Certainly, in taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior; for it is a prince's part to pardon.

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  3. It is worthy the observing, that there is no passion in the mind of man, so weak, but it mates, and masters, the fear of death; and therefore, death is no such…

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