Tell troth and shame the devil.
Ben JonsonRead
You are not now to think what's best to do, _x000D_ As in beginnings, but what must be done, _x000D_ Being thus enter'd; and slip no advantage _x000D_ That may secure you. Let them call it mischief; _x000D_ When it is past, and prosper'd , 'twill be virtue.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of decisive action over contemplation, especially once a path has been chosen.
Ben Jonson's quote reflects the necessity of committing to a course of action rather than getting lost in deliberation about what the best choice might be. It implies that once you begin something, you should focus on executing it effectively, even if others perceive your methods as questionable at the time. Ultimately, success may transform those actions into virtues that are respected and admired retrospectively.
Themes
ActionDecisionSuccessMischiefVirtue
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to a group of young entrepreneurs.
More from Ben Jonson
All quotes →We are persons of quality, I assure you, and women of fashion, and come to see and to be seen.
Ben JonsonRead
All concord's born of contraries.
Ben JonsonRead
Queen and huntress, chaste and fair Now the sun is laid to sleep, Seated in thy silver chair, State in wonted manner keep: Hesperus entreats thy light Goddess, excellently bright.
Ben JonsonRead
I know no disease of the soul but ignorance, a pernicious evil, the darkener of man's life, the disturber of his reason, and common confounder of truth.
Ben JonsonRead
Very few men are wise by their own council, or learned by their own teaching. For he that was only taught by himself, had a fool for a master.
Ben JonsonRead
Similar quotes
They [the Persians] are accustomed to deliberate on matters of the highest moment when warm with wine; but whatever they in this situation may determine is again proposed to them on the morrow, in their cooler moments, by the person in whose house they had before assembled. If at this time also it meet their approbation, it is executed; otherwise it is rejected. Whatever also they discuss when sober, is always a second time examined after they have been drinking.
HerodotusRead
So, that’s what they wanted: lies. Beautiful lies. That’s what they needed. People were fools. It was going to be easy for me.
Charles BukowskiRead
Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.
Bernard LevinRead
The only power you have on this planet is the power of your decisions.
Paulo CoelhoRead
The quality of wit inspires more admiration than confidence
George SantayanaRead
I was trying to prove to them and to myself that I was still who I had always been. I was beautiful, if fat. I was smart, if loud. I was good, if ruined.
Alice SeboldRead