Timely Resolution, or determination of what a man is to do,
is Honourable; as being the contempt of small difficulties, and dangers.
And Irresolution, Dishonourable; as a signe of too much valuing of
little impediments, and little advantages: For when a man has weighed
things as long as the time permits, and resolves not, the difference
of weight is but little; and therefore if he resolve not,
he overvalues little things, which is Pusillanimity.
Hobbes: Leviathan (1651), p.55 of my version of the Gutenberg e-text.
Chapter X: "Of Power, Worth, Dignity, Honour and Worthiness"
Lack of timely resolution is a sign of too much focus on little impediments and little advantages. Hobbes claims that lack of courage or determination lies at the core of this inaction. Hobbes repeats this idea in Chapter XI:
Irresolution, From Too Great Valuing Of Small Matters
Pusillanimity disposeth men to Irresolution, and consequently
to lose the occasions, and fittest opportunities of action.
For after men have been in deliberation till the time of
action approach, if it be not then manifest what is best to be done,
tis a signe, the difference of Motives, the one way and the other,
are not great: Therefore not to resolve then, is to lose the occasion
by weighing of trifles; which is pusillanimity.
