In addition to other works where it might have appeared, it is in Shakespeare's "King Henry IV, Pt I," where the wording is, "The better part of valor is discretion."
Valour (also spelled valor) is a noun.
its to her discretion
Men without valor
The adjective form of the word "discretion" is "discreet."
Valor is courage or bravery. The antonym (opposite) would be cowardice.
Discretion is the ability to maintain confidentiality and make sound judgements without disclosing unnecessary information. It involves being thoughtful and careful in decision-making and being able to keep sensitive information private when needed. Practicing discretion can help build trust and maintain relationships in both personal and professional settings.
Falstaff in Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part One," says it.
See the attached link for a brief explanation.
This phrase means that it is sometimes wiser to avoid danger or a risky situation rather than bravely confronting it. It suggests that using good judgment and caution is often more important than acting recklessly or bravely.
You are probably thinking of this quotation from Shakespeare's Henry IV Part 1, spoken by Falstaff: "The better part of valour is discretion; in the which better part I have saved my life."
Valor has many parts. Valor is honor. It is an unclear concept like love. So you can pick a "part" of it and not need to exhaust every possibility. Like the part where the valorous one has the discretion execute his authority, the freedom to choose. If you want you could say that being discrete - cautious in words and deed is the better part of valor or you could say that youth, health, intellect or bravery are. By choosing the part you like best you define its meaning to you. Is discretion even a small part of valor? Is forgiveness part of love or violence part of hate? Worse part /best part? It is not code.
I have never heard that quote. There is a quote that says, "Discretion is the better part of valor". This means that it's good to be brave and so on, but being careful and thinking things over before you act is more important.
Look before you leap. Think before you stick your nose into someone elses business.
One definition of the word"Valor" is the word, " bravery." "Discretion" is a word meaning "choice." To examine the possible results of a valorous deed before acting in an act of bravery is a matter of discretion. The result of said examination is your choice, or, discretion. 1. The discretion to act in a situation requiring valor or not act at all. Think of examples of that. Perhaps to save an enemy from certain death. 2. Or, when there are choices to be made in a valorous act. Hypothesis; Your pet dog whom you cherish is drowning. Another human being, a stranger, is also drowning. You can only save one. Which will be your choice? That is at your discretion. 3. It follows that making the right choice (which may vary, of course, in the eyes of others) will determine whether or not discretion, in a given instance, is the better part of valor. In saving one or the other from drowning, in the above example, it is clear that both acts, saving the dog or the human, are valorous. The choice, being discretion, would determine the meaning of the phrase; that "Discretion is the better part of valor." That does not give an answer to which is right and which is wrong but it does descibe the meaning of the phrase.
One definition of the word"Valor" is the word, " bravery." "Discretion" is a word meaning "choice." To examine the possible results of a valorous deed before acting in an act of bravery is a matter of discretion. The result of said examination is your choice, or, discretion. 1. The discretion to act in a situation requiring valor or not act at all. Think of examples of that. Perhaps to save an enemy from certain death. 2. Or, when there are choices to be made in a valorous act. Hypothesis; Your pet dog whom you cherish is drowning. Another human being, a stranger, is also drowning. You can only save one. Which will be your choice? That is at your discretion. 3. It follows that making the right choice (which may vary, of course, in the eyes of others) will determine whether or not discretion, in a given instance, is the better part of valor. In saving one or the other from drowning, in the above example, it is clear that both acts, saving the dog or the human, are valorous. The choice, being discretion, would determine the meaning of the phrase; that "Discretion is the better part of valor." That does not give an answer to which is right and which is wrong but it does descibe the meaning of the phrase.
Discretion is the better part of valor. Therefore, it would be prudent not to deceive someone born under the sign of Aquarius (or under any other sun sign, for that matter).
Eight Is Enough - 1977 The Better Part of Valor 3-23 was released on: USA: 7 March 1979