Boldness

From "The Oxford Book of Aphorisms"

In civil business; what first? boldness; what second and third? boldness; and yet boldness is a child of ignorance and baseness.

Sir Francis Bacon, 'Of Boldness', Essays, 1597-1625

Often, the more successful legislators are bold; they are outspoken and aggressive. Does this make it right? True legislation is a pragmatic affair, requiring a thorough understanding of the bill under debate. Negotiation is the outcome of debate. Just the opposite of ignorance and baseness.

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