Have the courage to act instead of react. (Oliver Wendell Holmes, 19th-20th century jurist)

Quick reflexes are valuable when you are faced with an unexpected and, perhaps, dangerous situation. We may delay reacting to other less perilous circumstances in our lives for a variety of reasons: the pressure of time, the fear of making hasty decisions, or other priorities. It would be much better most of the time, as Holmes suggests, to act rather than delay.

The virtuous think before they act. (Proverbs 21:29) Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:17)