Restraint Quotes

"Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man's tools. He uses them only when he has no choice."

"Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it with too much poking."

"He who has great power should use it lightly."

Seneca

"They that have power to hurt and will do none... They rightly do inherit heaven's graces."

“There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested.”

“I do think that the Constitution and the traditions of this country constrain all of us, those of us in Congress and those of us in the White House, from some of our impulses that we'd like to pursue.”

“I'm not going to critique every utterance of the president.”

"Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

Theodore Roosevelt

"Govern a great nation as you would cook a small fish. Don't overdo it."

“Above all, not too much zeal.”

Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand