--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world,\" said Pavone, \"will swing to…" description: "\"“The world,\" said Pavone, \"will swing to the left. The whole world except America. The world will swing, not because people read Karl Marx, or because ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/irwin-shaw-11005_war_the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the_391.jpg" --- # The world," said Pavone, "will swing to the left. The… ![“The world," said Pavone, "will swing to the left. The whole world except America. The world will swing, not because people read Karl Marx, or because agitators will come out of Russia, but because, after the war is over, that will be the only way they can turn. Everything else will have been…” quote by Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/irwin-shaw-11005_war_the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the_391.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/irwin-shaw-11005_war_the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the_391.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/irwin-shaw-11005_war_the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the_391.jpg) > ““The world," said Pavone, "will swing to the left. The whole world except America. The world will swing, not because people read Karl Marx, or because agitators will come out of Russia, but because, after the war is over, that will be the only way they can turn. Everything else will have been tried, everything else will have failed. And I am afraid that American will be isolated, hated, backward, we will all be living there like old maids in a lonely house in the woods, locking the doors, looking under the beds, with a fortune in the mattress, not being able to sleep, because every time the wind blows and a floor creaks, we will think the murderers are breaking in to kill us and take our treasure...”” [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A warning that post‑war geopolitics will push most nations toward left‑leaning policies, leaving the U.S. isolated and paranoid, fearing loss of wealth and security. **In simple terms:** Post‑war shift to left, U.S. isolation Key Takeaway Isolation breeds fear of loss Themes geopolitics ideological shift nationalism paranoia cultural decline Mood anxious cautious skeptical Type political prophetic When to use this quote - policy planning - foreign‑policy analysis - media commentary Key Concepts global power dynamics economic insecurity cultural identity Practical Applications - strategic forecasting - risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What mechanisms could prevent isolation? - How might cultural narratives shape policy? A Different Perspective Some argue the U.S. can adapt and lead without isolation ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Afraid American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/afraid-american-235694/) [America World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-world-235697/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/karl-marx/) [Left World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left-world-235695/) [Swing Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swing-left-235696/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Whole world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole-world/) [World Swing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-swing-235693/) ## Related quotes > [I think of three things, and that's it. Just keep it short and take it outside and swing it left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brooks-koepka/i-think-of-three-things-and-that-s-it-just-keep-it-short-and-take-it/) [Brooks Koepka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brooks-koepka/) > [Yeah, the world would swing if I were king. Can I help it if I still dream time to time?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-petty/yeah-the-world-would-swing-if-i-were-king-can-i-help-it-if-i-still/) [Tom Petty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-petty/) > [And we're being attacked because of what we do, not because of who we are. And by refusing to talk about that, I'm afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-scheuer/and-we-re-being-attacked-because-of-what-we-do-not-because-of-who-we/) [Michael Scheuer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-scheuer/) > [“Look at me, right now in my story. Helpless, tortured, shot, blown up, my best buddies all dead, and all because we were afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-luttrell/look-at-me-right-now-in-my-story-helpless-tortured-shot-blown-up-my/) [Marcus Luttrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-luttrell/) > [“Waller was a sensible girl. 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Canada is practically the only country left in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/northrop-frye/our-country-has-shown-a-lack-of-will-to-resist-its-own-disintegration/) [Northrop Frye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/northrop-frye/) ## More by Irwin Shaw > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [A writer has to live with a sense of honor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/a-writer-has-to-live-with-a-sense-of-honor/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [Special-interest magazines are dangerous places for writers to start out in because the writing quickly falls into a routine and people are likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/special-interest-magazines-are-dangerous-places-for-writers-to-start/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [It's those damn critics again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/it-s-those-damn-critics-again/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I haven't stuck to any formula. 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You can get hurt, but you enjoy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/writing-is-like-a-contact-sport-like-football-you-can-get-hurt-but/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [“The abuse of alcohol,” Mr. Parrish said in a solemn, preacher-like voice, as he reached for his glass, “is the one thing that puts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/the-abuse-of-alcohol-mr-parrish-said-in-a-solemn-preacher-like-voice/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [A writer is a human being. 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And I am afraid that American will be isolated, hated, backward, we will all be living there like old maids in a lonely house in the woods, locking the doors, looking under the beds, with a fortune in the mattress, not being able to sleep, because every time the wind blows and a floor creaks, we will think the murderers are breaking in to kill us and take our treasure...”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Irwin Shaw" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the-left-the-whole-world-except/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "War" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the-left-the-whole-world-except/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/irwin-shaw-11005_war_the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the_391.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/irwin-shaw-11005_war_the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the_391.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a4/irwin-shaw-11005_war_the-world-said-pavone-will-swing-to-the_391.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The world,\" said Pavone, \"will swing to the left. 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