Agree Quote by Ernest Bevin
“If the workers see themselves faced with defeat through starvation, they will prefer to go down fighting rather than fainting — and whether or not we leaders agree.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Labour Conference, 1943
Leaders must recognize that starving workers will fight rather than surrender, regardless of leadership consensus.
In simple terms: Starving workers choose fight over surrender.
Address workers’ needs to prevent unrest.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- industrial negotiations
- political rallies
- union meetings
- humanitarian crises
- policy making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What conditions make workers choose resistance?
- How can leaders balance authority and empathy?
If basic needs are met, the urgency to fight diminishes.