Put it this way. As long as Jeyaretnam [Workers' Party…
![“Put it this way. As long as Jeyaretnam [Workers' Party leader] stands for what he stands for -- a thoroughly destructive force for me -- we will knock him. There are two ways of playing this. One, a you attack the policies; two, you attack the system. Jeyaretnam was attacking the system, he…” quote by Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/q/i/f78/lee-kuan-yew-3939_justice_put-it-this-way-as-long-as-jeyaretnam-wo_2817184.jpg)
““Put it this way. As long as Jeyaretnam [Workers' Party leader] stands for what he stands for -- a thoroughly destructive force for me -- we will knock him. There are two ways of playing this. One, a you attack the policies; two, you attack the system. Jeyaretnam was attacking the system, he brought the Chief Justice into it. If I want to fix you, do I need the Chief Justice to fix you? Everybody knows that in my bag I have a hatchet, and a very sharp one. You take me on, I take my hatchet, we meet in the cul-de-sac. That's the way I had to survive in the past. That's the way the communists tackled me. He brought the Chief Justice into the political arena. He brought my only friend in university into our quarrel. How dare he!””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He describes a confrontational political strategy, attacking both policies and the system, using strong metaphors of violence.
In simple terms: He talks about fighting political opponents aggressively.
Key Takeaway
Consider the costs of aggressive political tactics.
Themes
politics
conflict
strategy
Mood
critical
serious
Type
political
strategic
When to use this quote
- campaigning
- legislative debate
- public discourse
Key Concepts
power dynamics
ethical leadership
political rhetoric
Questions to Reflect On
- Is violence an effective political tool?
- What alternatives exist for political change?
A Different Perspective
Such aggressive metaphors can incite division and undermine democratic dialogue.