valour

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discretion is the better part of valor

Caution is more important than bravery. The expression emphasizes the importance of being cautious and reserving acts of bravery for when they are actually needed. I know you want to try that risky skateboard jump, but remember that discretion is the better part of valor.

Discretion is the better part of valor.

Prov. It is good to be brave, but it is also good to be careful.; If you are careful, you will not get into situations that require you to be brave. Son: Can I go hang gliding with my friends? Father: No. Son: But they'll say I'm chicken if I don't go! Father: Discretion is the better part of valor, and I'd rather have them call you chicken than risk your life.

discretion is the better part of valor

It is better to be prudent than merely courageous, as in I'm signing up for the easy course first; discretion is the better part of valor. This proverb, a synonym of look before you leap, was first recorded in 1477. Charles Churchill put it in poetic form: "Even in a hero's heart, Discretion is the better part" ( The Ghost, 1762). Shakespeare also used a form of it: "The better part of valor is discretion" ( 1 Henry IV, 5:4).

discretion is the better part of valour

it's better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it. proverb

See also: better, discretion, of, part, valour

diˌscretion is the ˌbetter part of ˈvalour

(British English) (American English diˌscretion is the ˌbetter part of ˈvalor) (saying) you should avoid danger and not take unnecessary risksThis comes from Shakespeare’s play Henry IV.

See also: better, discretion, of, part, valour

References in periodicals archive ?

Although Garrett displayed an incredible sense of duty in pursuing his assailant and wounding him, his actions do not meet the criteria required of the Cross of Valour, which is to be presented only "for acts of most conspicuous courage in circumstances of extreme peril.

The Cross of Valour is the nearest civilian equivalent of the military's Victoria Cross.

If that is accepted, then all police officers, firemen, and soldiers who lose their lives in the performance of their duty deserve to be considered for the Cross of Valour.

An examination of some of the actions for which individuals did or did not receive the Cross of Valour confirms why it should not be awarded posthumously to Garrett.

One of the first men to be awarded a posthumous Cross of Valour was Royal Canadian Navy sailor Vaino Partanen.

Often even those who knowingly risk their lives for others have not received the Cross of Valour.