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About this quote

What does it mean?
Act decisively when opportunities arise, but also take initiative to create favorable conditions before acting.
In plain terms
Do things at the right time, but also make things ready so you can act.
What can you take from it?
Create opportunities instead of just waiting for them.

Where it applies

  • leadership decisions
  • career moves
  • project planning

Putting it to work

  • prepare resources early
  • seek proactive solutions

Questions to consider

  • How can you create better conditions before acting?
  • Is timing or preparation more important?

Another view

Sometimes waiting for better conditions is safer than forcing them.

More from Oliver Cromwell

  1. Let us restore the king to his throne, and let the king in future agree to govern with the consent of Parliament. Let us restore the old church, with its bisho…

    Permalink to quote #48
  2. Not what they want but what is good for them.

    Permalink to quote #50
  3. He who stops being better stops being good.

    Permalink to quote #47

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