Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Discussion is necessary before acting, not an obstacle to action.
In plain terms
Talk things through first to make better decisions.
What can you take from it?
Use debate to improve decisions before acting.

Where it applies

  • meetings
  • conflict resolution
  • policy making

Putting it to work

  • ask for opinions
  • listen before acting
  • debate respectfully

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance talk and action?
  • When is debate unhelpful?

Another view

Too much discussion can sometimes delay urgent action.

More from Pericles

  1. If Athens shall appear great to you, consider then that her glories were purchased by valiant men, and by men who learned their duty.

    Permalink to quote #8
  2. Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you.

    Permalink to quote #10
  3. Future ages will wonder at us, as the present age wonders at us now.

    Permalink to quote #7

Related quotes

  1. I don't give advice. I can't tell anybody what to do. Instead I say this is what we know about this problem at this time. And here are the consequences of thes…

    Dr. Joyce BrothersDr. Joyce Brothers quote #3
  2. 'I'll tell you what let's do'.

    Paul HarveyPaul Harvey quote #26
  3. We all agree on the necessity of compromise. We just can't agree on when it's necessary to compromise.

    Larry WallLarry Wall quote #43