---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Other times there’s a form of denial at…"
description: "\"“Other times there’s a form of denial at work. Circuitous routes, extensive security checks, an ongoing internal dialogue consisting of If I were tryin..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/barry-eisler-1009_communication_other-times-there-s-a-form-of-denial-at_1499627.jpg"
---

#  Other times there’s a form of denial at work. Circuitous…

![“Other times there’s a form of denial at work. Circuitous routes, extensive security checks, an ongoing internal dialogue consisting of If I were trying to get to me, how would I do it? all require a deep acceptance of the notion that there are people out there who have both the motive and the…” quote by Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/barry-eisler-1009_communication_other-times-there-s-a-form-of-denial-at_1499627.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/barry-eisler-1009_communication_other-times-there-s-a-form-of-denial-at_1499627.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/715/barry-eisler-1009_communication_other-times-there-s-a-form-of-denial-at_1499627.jpg)

> ““Other times there’s a form of denial at work. Circuitous routes, extensive security checks, an ongoing internal dialogue consisting of If I were trying to get to me, how would I do it? all require a deep acceptance of the notion that there are people out there who have both the motive and the means to cut short your time on earth. This notion is innately uncomfortable for the human psyche, so much so that it produces enormous stress even for soldiers in battle. A lot of guys, the first time they come under close-range fire, they’re shocked. “Why’s he trying to kill me?” they’re asking themselves. “What did I ever do to him?””

[Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Denial and fear of death drive people to create elaborate defenses, yet confronting mortality is necessary for psychological health.

**In simple terms:** People hide from death with complex defenses.

Key Takeaway

Face mortality to reduce anxiety.

Themes

fear denial security

Mood

tense analytical

Type

psychological existential

When to use this quote

- military training
- high‑stress professions
- personal crisis
- ethical decision‑making

Key Concepts

psychology existential threat

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance awareness of danger with functioning?
- What safeguards can prevent paralysis by fear?

A Different Perspective

Denial can also protect mental stability in extreme situations.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Denial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denial/) [Denial Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/denial-work-5495442/) [First time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-time/) [Human psyche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-psyche/) [Kill Asking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kill-asking-712150/) [People Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-motive-2722899/) [Stress Soldiers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress-soldiers-4812333/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time on earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-on-earth/)

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