Look before you ere you leap.

Look before you ere you leap.

For chance fights ever on the side of the prudent.

For chance fights ever on the side of the prudent.

'Tis true no lover has that pow'r
T' enforce a desperate amour,
As he that has two read more

'Tis true no lover has that pow'r
T' enforce a desperate amour,
As he that has two strings t' his bow,
And burns for love and money too.

If thou art terrible to many, then beware of many.
[Lat., Multis terribilis, caveto multos.]

If thou art terrible to many, then beware of many.
[Lat., Multis terribilis, caveto multos.]

Hear the words of prudence, give heed unto her counsels, and store them in thine heart; her maxims are universal, read more

Hear the words of prudence, give heed unto her counsels, and store them in thine heart; her maxims are universal, and all the virtues lean upon her; she is the guide and the mistress of human life

Prudence is a rich, ugly old maid wooed by incapacity.

Prudence is a rich, ugly old maid wooed by incapacity.

If a wise man behaves prudently, how can he be overcome by his enemies? Even a single man, by right read more

If a wise man behaves prudently, how can he be overcome by his enemies? Even a single man, by right action, can overcome a host of foes.

Let us not throw the rope after the bucket.
[Sp., No arrojemos la soga tras el caldero.]

Let us not throw the rope after the bucket.
[Sp., No arrojemos la soga tras el caldero.]

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best of hearts.

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best of hearts.