proverb · Words worth keeping
Discretion is the greater part of valor.
Discretion is the greater part of valor.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
The saying makes discretion a greater part of courage. It values judgment about when to act, pause or withdraw.
What the words are saying
The comparison distinguishes courage from constant confrontation. A useful application considers the situation rather than treating retreat as always wise or boldness as always foolish. The phrase gives no tactical instruction or guarantee that a particular response is safe.
Everyday example
Someone considers whether pausing a confrontation better serves a worthwhile aim.
When to use it
Use it to discuss courage alongside judgment.
What it does not mean
No universal safest response or practical escape method is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 669; PDF page 97
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.