--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The confidence and security of a people…" description: "\"The confidence and security of a people can be measured by their attitude toward laxatives. At the high noon of the British sun, soldiers in far-flung ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/florence-king-2603_america_the-confidence-and-security-of-a-people_1223389.jpg" --- # The confidence and security of a people can be measured by… ![“The confidence and security of a people can be measured by their attitude toward laxatives. At the high noon of the British sun, soldiers in far-flung outposts of the Empire doctored themselves with "a spoonful o' gunpowder in a cuppa 'ot tea." Purveyors and users of harsh laxatives were not…” quote by Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/florence-king-2603_america_the-confidence-and-security-of-a-people_1223389.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/florence-king-2603_america_the-confidence-and-security-of-a-people_1223389.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/florence-king-2603_america_the-confidence-and-security-of-a-people_1223389.jpg) > “The confidence and security of a people can be measured by their attitude toward laxatives. At the high noon of the British sun, soldiers in far-flung outposts of the Empire doctored themselves with "a spoonful o' gunpowder in a cuppa 'ot tea." Purveyors and users of harsh laxatives were not afraid of being thought mean and unfriendly just because their laxatives were. But in America, the need to be nice is so consuming that nobody would dare take a laxative that makes you run up the stairs two at a time, pushing others aside and yelling, "Get out of the way!” [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A society’s tolerance for harshness reveals its true confidence; excessive politeness can suppress necessary vigor. **In simple terms:** Politeness can hide a lack of confidence. Key Takeaway Balance assertiveness with courtesy. Themes social behavior confidence culture Mood critical reflective Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - workplace leadership - political debate - personal boundaries - team dynamics Key Concepts assertiveness politeness social norms Questions to Reflect On - When should you be direct versus diplomatic? - How does cultural context shape assertiveness? A Different Perspective Too much bluntness can damage relationships. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Being nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-nice/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Empires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empires/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Yelling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yelling/) ## Related quotes > [Amazing Home Remedies: If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/amazing-home-remedies-if-you-have-a-bad-cough-take-a-large-dose-of/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [The intellect searches out the Absolute order of things as they stand in the mind of God, and without the colors of affection. 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Real feminism is spinsterhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/he-travels-fastest-who-travels-alone-and-that-goes-double-for-she/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [to a Southerner it is faux pas, not sins, that matter in this world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/to-a-southerner-it-is-faux-pas-not-sins-that-matter-in-this-world/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [If you ever meet someone who cannot understand why solitary confinement is considered punishment, you have met a misanthrope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/if-you-ever-meet-someone-who-cannot-understand-why-solitary/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [No matter which sex I went to bed with, I never smoked on the street](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/florence-king/no-matter-which-sex-i-went-to-bed-with-i-never-smoked-on-the-street/) [Florence King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/florence-king/) > [Hereditary monarchy offers numerous advantages for America. 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