--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is their usual reaction; they employ…" description: "\"“It is their usual reaction; they employ not words and reasoned conversation or discourse to resolve problems, but the truncheon, the jackbooted foot, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58e/daniel-s-fletcher-46878_communication_it-is-their-usual-reaction-they-employ-n_1552722.jpg" --- # It is their usual reaction; they employ not words and… ![“It is their usual reaction; they employ not words and reasoned conversation or discourse to resolve problems, but the truncheon, the jackbooted foot, or the gun. Sophistication requires more competence and skill than mere thuggery. It is a harder, loftier charge to be civilised than to let the…” quote by Daniel S. Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58e/daniel-s-fletcher-46878_communication_it-is-their-usual-reaction-they-employ-n_1552722.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58e/daniel-s-fletcher-46878_communication_it-is-their-usual-reaction-they-employ-n_1552722.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/58e/daniel-s-fletcher-46878_communication_it-is-their-usual-reaction-they-employ-n_1552722.jpg) > ““It is their usual reaction; they employ not words and reasoned conversation or discourse to resolve problems, but the truncheon, the jackbooted foot, or the gun. Sophistication requires more competence and skill than mere thuggery. It is a harder, loftier charge to be civilised than to let the beast in man devour man. The enlightened mind knows that all is challengeable, questions all, and thus, learns and grows. The weak, narrow mind makes its beliefs – whatever form they take – sacrosanct, defending them with violence if necessary. Political extremists, much like religious zealots, are the latter. They destroy what they cannot convert. They annihilate those they cannot control or make conform. They have found no peace in life, no love, and so promote war and division, as emotional cripples – inflicting their own pain and misery and malignant stupidity on the world. Their language binds people together, but only by stirring the darkest excesses of the soul; language of hate, and intolerance, fear and conspiracy, and the need for vengeance. In war-scarred Europe, these cripples direct mass-psychology, and would make the world in their own likeness; mutilated by violence and tribalism and hate. They use language in its most evil, twisted form. They appeal to the lowest form of understanding, on a level I hesitate to allow for the term ‘human intelligence’ to be associated. Children, fertile minds ripe for molestation. Now they will be taught what to think, not how to think. Language, that twisted poison. It scars purity.”” [Daniel S. Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-s-fletcher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Extremist groups reject dialogue, using violence and hate language to dominate, while enlightened minds seek questioning and growth. **In simple terms:** Extremists use force and hate; thoughtful people question and learn. Key Takeaway Promote critical thinking over blind aggression. Themes violence extremism language education humanity Mood concerned serious Type political philosophical When to use this quote - schools - political campaigns - media outlets - community workshops - family discussions Key Concepts psychology social influence political theory Questions to Reflect On - How can societies foster questioning minds? - What role does education play in countering hate? 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It is a harder, loftier charge to be civilised than to let the beast in man devour man. The enlightened mind knows that all is challengeable, questions all, and thus, learns and grows. The weak, narrow mind makes its beliefs – whatever form they take – sacrosanct, defending them with violence if necessary. Political extremists, much like religious zealots, are the latter. They destroy what they cannot convert. They annihilate those they cannot control or make conform. They have found no peace in life, no love, and so promote war and division, as emotional cripples – inflicting their own pain and misery and malignant stupidity on the world. Their language binds people together, but only by stirring the darkest excesses of the soul; language of hate, and intolerance, fear and conspiracy, and the need for vengeance. In war-scarred Europe, these cripples direct mass-psychology, and would make the world in their own likeness; mutilated by violence and tribalism and hate. 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