To withdraw is not to run away, and to stay is no wise action, when there is more reason to fear than to hope; it is the part of a wise man to keep himself to-day for to-morrow, and not venture all his eggs in one basket. And for all I am but a clown, or a bumpkin, as you may say, yet I would have you to know I know what’s what, and have always taken care of the main chance.[translation by John Willis Clark]To retire is not to flee, and there is no wisdom in waiting when danger outweighs hope, and it is the part of wise men to preserve themselves to-day for to-morrow, and not risk all in one day; and let me tell you, though I am a clown and a boor, I have got some notion of what they call safe conduct.[translation by John Ormsby][Que el retirar no es huir, ni el esperar es cordura, cuando el peligro sobrepuja a la esperanza, y de sabios es guardarse hoy para mañana, y no aventurarse todo en un día. Y sepa que, aunque zafio y villano, todavía se me alcanza algo desto que llaman buen gobierno.]
