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It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.
Henry David Thoreau
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Wisdom involves making thoughtful choices rather than acting out of desperation.

This quote by Henry David Thoreau emphasizes that true wisdom includes the restraint from hasty or desperate actions. It suggests that a wise person carefully considers their options rather than succumbing to panic or urgency, thus fostering better decision-making and outcomes.

Themes

WisdomDecisionsRestraintThoughtfulnessCharacteristic

In practice

Example use cases

During a tough business meeting, one could use this quote to remind everyone to remain calm and think wisely before making choices.

More from Henry David Thoreau

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
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Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
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As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
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That grand old poem called Winter
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