--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sooner or later something had to give…" description: "\"Sooner or later something had to give. But President Bush, faced with the unprecedented affront of 9-11, could not wait to take action. So he had to do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32f/alexander-haig-18281_action_sooner-or-later-something-had-to-give-bu_517054.jpg" --- # Sooner or later something had to give. But President Bush… ![“Sooner or later something had to give. But President Bush, faced with the unprecedented affront of 9-11, could not wait to take action. So he had to do what we were capable of doing, and he did it brilliantly.” quote by Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32f/alexander-haig-18281_action_sooner-or-later-something-had-to-give-bu_517054.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32f/alexander-haig-18281_action_sooner-or-later-something-had-to-give-bu_517054.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32f/alexander-haig-18281_action_sooner-or-later-something-had-to-give-bu_517054.jpg) > “Sooner or later something had to give. But President Bush, faced with the unprecedented affront of 9-11, could not wait to take action. So he had to do what we were capable of doing, and he did it brilliantly.” [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. In crisis, decisive action is taken when waiting is impossible, even if it seems unprecedented. **In simple terms:** Crisis forces swift, bold decisions. Key Takeaway Act decisively when time is critical. Themes crisis leadership decisionmaking urgency politics Mood urgent decisive Type political historical When to use this quote - national emergencies - military actions - policy making - public safety Key Concepts strategic planning risk management government response Questions to Reflect On - When should swift action be tempered? - What are the risks of acting without full information? A Different Perspective Rapid action can have unintended consequences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Israel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/israel/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Sooner or later](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sooner-or-later/) ## Related quotes > [Threats I have faced are unprecedented.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-pruitt/threats-i-have-faced-are-unprecedented/) [Scott Pruitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-pruitt/) > [I think that Donald Trump has faced an unprecedented avalanche of critical coverage when he was running and frankly, I think, it in part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/i-think-that-donald-trump-has-faced-an-unprecedented-avalanche-of/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [A Bush Administration will, I believe, enjoy a better relationship with the new Congress, although President-elect Bush will be faced with real challenges in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-v-allen/a-bush-administration-will-i-believe-enjoy-a-better-relationship-with/) [Richard V. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-v-allen/) > [You would be amazed how much action anyone is capable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/you-would-be-amazed-how-much-action-anyone-is-capable-of/) [L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/) > [We are born to action and whatever is capable of suggesting and guiding action has power over us from the first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-are-born-to-action-and-whatever-is-capable-of-suggesting-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And old affront will stir the heart Through years of rankling pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-ingelow/and-old-affront-will-stir-the-heart-through-years-of-rankling-pain/) [Jean Ingelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-ingelow/) > [He's never quite got the trick of conversation, tending to hear in dissenting views, however mild, a kind of affront, an invitation to mortal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-mcewan/he-s-never-quite-got-the-trick-of-conversation-tending-to-hear-in/) [Ian Mcewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-mcewan/) > [The filibuster is an affront to commonly understood democratic norms, but then so is the Senate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hendrik-hertzberg/the-filibuster-is-an-affront-to-commonly-understood-democratic-norms/) [Hendrik Hertzberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hendrik-hertzberg/) > [Black people in America have to, for their own protection, develop a defense mechanism, and I just grew terribly tired of it. When you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-robinson/black-people-in-america-have-to-for-their-own-protection-develop-a/) [Randall Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-robinson/) > [Torture anywhere is an affront to human dignity everywhere... I call on all governments to join with the United States and the community of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/torture-anywhere-is-an-affront-to-human-dignity-everywhere-i-call-on/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Despite my best efforts, I'm not quite perfect. Let's just say I'm like one of those Hopi blankets where they leave a tiny flaw…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-lancaster/despite-my-best-efforts-i-m-not-quite-perfect-let-s-just-say-i-m-like/) [Jen Lancaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-lancaster/) > [I'm achingly aware of my own limitations as both part of the human race and as an individual. I'm just, casting this out that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/i-m-achingly-aware-of-my-own-limitations-as-both-part-of-the-human/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [A government run by billionaires for billionaires is an affront to freedom and morality and humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moore/a-government-run-by-billionaires-for-billionaires-is-an-affront-to/) [Michael Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moore/) > [Old, that's an affront no woman can well bear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/old-that-s-an-affront-no-woman-can-well-bear/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [Self-ruled Taiwan cannot be expected to accept such an affront to the legitimacy of its government and the self-determination of the Taiwanese people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-akin/self-ruled-taiwan-cannot-be-expected-to-accept-such-an-affront-to-the/) [Todd Akin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-akin/) ## More by Alexander Haig > [We didn't lose Vietnam. We quit Vietnam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/we-didn-t-lose-vietnam-we-quit-vietnam/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [If they analyze the situation as thoroughly as they should, Muslims will realize they are the first targets. What are the fundamentalists really after?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/if-they-analyze-the-situation-as-thoroughly-as-they-should-muslims/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [To declare the Cold War over, and declare democracy has won out over totalitarianism, is a measure of arrogance and wrong-headedness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/to-declare-the-cold-war-over-and-declare-democracy-has-won-out-over/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [I started out as a Cold Warrior, even my last years in grade school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/i-started-out-as-a-cold-warrior-even-my-last-years-in-grade-school/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [We didn't do anything wrong, but among the lessons learned, given the magnitude of the problems we now face in Afghanistan, a major U.S.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/we-didn-t-do-anything-wrong-but-among-the-lessons-learned-given-the/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [Prior to his takeover of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini was camping near Paris, giving daily news conferences to a fawning international press corps without a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/prior-to-his-takeover-of-iran-ayatollah-khomeini-was-camping-near/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [A durable, long-term U.S.-China strategic relationship is even more important now than in previous decades. The relationship will continue to grow and prosper to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/a-durable-long-term-u-s-china-strategic-relationship-is-even-more/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [I probably carry more scar tissue on my derrière than any other candidate-that's political scar tissue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/i-probably-carry-more-scar-tissue-on-my-derri-re-than-any-other/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [What the fundamentalists are doing is a total negation of their own faith - encouraging and lionizing suicide bombers and killing women and children,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/what-the-fundamentalists-are-doing-is-a-total-negation-of-their-own/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [Practice rather than preach. Make of your life an affirmation, defined by your ideals, not the negation of others. Dare to the level of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/practice-rather-than-preach-make-of-your-life-an-affirmation-defined/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [I wasn't happy with the outcome in Vietnam. Now, I've never said that, but, you know, I'm getting to an age where I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/i-wasn-t-happy-with-the-outcome-in-vietnam-now-i-ve-never-said-that/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [Constitutionally, gentlemen, you have the president, the vice president and the secretary of state, in that order, and should the president decide he wants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/constitutionally-gentlemen-you-have-the-president-the-vice-president/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [The warning message we sent the Russians was a calculated ambiguity that would be clearly understood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/the-warning-message-we-sent-the-russians-was-a-calculated-ambiguity/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [You have to look at the history of the Middle East in particular. It has been one of failure and frustration, of feudalism and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/you-have-to-look-at-the-history-of-the-middle-east-in-particular-it/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) > [More often than not, Americans and Westerners overestimated the power and capability of the Soviet Union.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-haig/more-often-than-not-americans-and-westerners-overestimated-the-power/) [Alexander Haig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) [Explore all 35 Alexander Haig quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-haig/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. 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Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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