You have been fortunate in getting out of that difficulty, or that you did not engage in a business, which, however promising it might appear, could not but have involved you in much trouble. Literally it means, in drawing your feet out of the mud.

Beyond bow-shot, or the reach of darts. Out of harm's way. Out of debt, out of danger. Be concerned in no disputes, and neither say nor do any thing of which an advantage may be taken, is the direction of prudence; but from the mixed nature of human affairs, not to be completely followed, but by those who live only for themselves. Let those, however, who neglect this caution be sure that they have resolution enough to bear, or strength sufficient to overcome the difficulties they may have brought upon themselves by their imprudence. Socrates being asked, who was the wisest man, answered he who offends the least.