“One rule observed in their council is, never to debate a thing on the same day in which it is first proposed”

—  Thomas More , book Utopia

Source: Utopia (1516), Ch. 3 : Of Their Magistrates
Context: One rule observed in their council is, never to debate a thing on the same day in which it is first proposed; for that is always referred to the next meeting, that so men may not rashly and in the heat of discourse engage themselves too soon, which might bias them so much that, instead of consulting the good of the public, they might rather study to support their first opinions, and by a perverse and preposterous sort of shame hazard their country rather than endanger their own reputation, or venture the being suspected to have wanted foresight in the expedients that they at first proposed; and therefore, to prevent this, they take care that they may rather be deliberate than sudden in their motions.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "One rule observed in their council is, never to debate a thing on the same day in which it is first proposed" by Thomas More?
Thomas More photo
Thomas More 26
English Renaissance humanist 1478–1535

Related quotes

Ogden Nash photo

“And particularly because they all observe one rule which woe betides the banker who fails to heed it,
Which is you must never lend any money to anybody unless they don't need it.”

Ogden Nash (1902–1971) American poet

"Bankers Are Just Like Anybody Else, Except Richer"
I'm a Stranger Here Myself (1938)
Context: Most bankers dwell in marble halls,
Which they get to dwell in because they encourage deposits and discourage withdrawals,
And particularly because they all observe one rule which woe betides the banker who fails to heed it,
Which is you must never lend any money to anybody unless they don't need it.

Henry Van Dyke photo

“The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another.”

Henry Van Dyke (1852–1933) American diplomat

Fisherman's Luck http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext97/fshlk10.txt, ch. 5 (1899)
Context: The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another. The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.

“One can only see what one observes, and one observes only things which are already in the mind.”

Thomas Harris Red Dragon

Source: Red Dragon

Marilyn Monroe photo

“If I'd observed all the rules I'd never have got anywhere.”

Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) American actress, model, and singer

Variant: If I'd observed all the rules, I'd never have got anywhere.

Michael J. Behe photo

“Under my definition, a scientific theory is a proposed explanation which focuses or points to physical, observable data and logical inferences. There are many things throughout the history of science which we now think to be incorrect which nonetheless would fit that — which would fit that definition. Yes, astrology is in fact one.”

Michael J. Behe (1952) American biochemist, author, and intelligent design advocate

testimony in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, trial transcript: day 11 http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dover/day11pm.html#day11pm132 (18 October 2005).

Frank Bainimarama photo

“There are two things that need to be taken away. First the lies and this government which needs to follow the law and imprison those implicated in the coup. The chiefs are being used just like those that have been made to believe that there is $6million in the bank for them. This Bill was pushed by the SDL party, the very same people that supported what happened in 2000 and there are opportunists seating in the council looking to mislead the council.”

Frank Bainimarama (1954) Prime Minister of Fiji

2000, Warning to the Great Council of Chiefs, 9 March 2006

Victor Hugo photo

“There are people who observe the rules of honor as one observes the stars, from a great distance.”

Victor Hugo book Les Misérables

Source: Les Miserables

Jonathan Swift photo

“And surely one of the best rules in conversation is, never to say a thing which any of the company can reasonably wish had been left unsaid…”

Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, and poet

Hints Toward an Essay on Conversation (1709)

Francois Rabelais photo

“In all their rule, and strictest tie of their order, there was but this one clause to be observed,”

Francois Rabelais book Gargantua and Pantagruel

Source: Gargantua and Pantagruel (1532–1564), Gargantua (1534), Chapter 58 : A prophetical Riddle.
Context: All their life was spent not in laws, statutes, or rules, but according to their own free will and pleasure. They rose out of their beds when they thought good : they did eat, drink, labour, sleep, when they had a mind to it, and were disposed for it. None did awake them, none did offer to constrain them to eat, drink, nor to do any other thing; for so had Gargantua established it. In all their rule, and strictest tie of their order, there was but this one clause to be observed

Karen Marie Moning photo

“I'll never be her first.
But one day I'll be her last.”

Karen Marie Moning (1964) author

Source: Feversong

Related topics