Business Quote by J.M. Coetzee
““Why should our rulers, normally phlegmatic men, react with sudden hysteria to the pinpricks of terrorism when for decades they were able to go about their everyday business unruffled, in full awareness that in a deep bunker somewhere in the Urals an enemy watched and waited with a finger on a button, ready if provoked to wipe them and their cities from the face of the earth?””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Terrorism and Governance, 2000s
Leaders should not overreact to isolated threats when they have long managed risk calmly, aware of larger dangers.
In simple terms: Don't panic over small attacks if you already manage big risks.
Key Takeaway
Maintain measured response to threats.
Themes
leadership
risk management
terrorism
policy
calmness
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government crisis
- public safety
- media coverage
- policy formulation
Key Concepts
strategic restraint
threat perception
decision making
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders balance vigilance with composure?
- What mechanisms prevent panic in governance?
A Different Perspective
Overreaction can amplify fear and undermine stability.
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