Everybody has noticed the way cats stop and loiter in a half-open door. Hasn't everyone said to a cat: For heaven's sake, why don't you come in? With opportunity half-open in front of them, there are men who have a similar tendency to remain undecided between two solutions, at the risk of being crushed by fate abruptly closing the opportunity. The overprudent, cats as they are, and because they are cats, sometimes run more danger than the bold.
Victor Hugo observes a common behavior in cats, who often hesitate at the threshold of a half-open door, prompting people to wonder why they don't just enter. This behavior reflects a broader human tendency to hesitate when faced with opportunities, leading to indecision that can result in lost chances. Just as cats linger in uncertainty, individuals may find themselves stuck between choices, risking significant consequences as fate can suddenly close off their options.
This analogy illustrates that being overly cautious, like the cautious cat, can sometimes be more perilous than taking bold action. Often, those who wait and deliberate too long may miss out on opportunities that brave individuals seize. In life, making decisions—even with inherent risks—can lead to favorable outcomes, while indecision can result in an unfulfilled potential.
