Meanings
alternative discretion is the better part of valor
- It is often wise to refrain from seemingly brave, but dangerous, speech or action.
The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part, I have saved my life.
c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iv]1 more example
At least there was no problem with Alison travelling on the 'wrong' train - discretion was the better part of valour for ticket checks [on a train full of football supporters].
2019 October, Chris Stokes, “Between the Lines”, in Modern Railways, page 97
Origin
Alteration of "The better part of valour is discretion," spoken by Falstaff in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Act V, Scene 4.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Chinese Mandarin 好漢不吃眼前虧 /好汉不吃眼前亏
- 好漢不吃眼前虧 /好汉不吃眼前亏 (hǎohàn bù chī yǎnqián kuī)it is often wise to refrain from brave speech
Finnish varovaisuus on viisautta
- varovaisuus on viisauttait is often wise to refrain from brave speech
Cite this entry
discretion is the better part of valour. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/discretion%20is%20the%20better%20part%20of%20valour
“discretion is the better part of valour.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/discretion%20is%20the%20better%20part%20of%20valour. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “discretion is the better part of valour,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/discretion%20is%20the%20better%20part%20of%20valour.
Source: discretion is the better part of valour on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.