Mendel Quote by John le Carré
““There was a pause. Mendel said: 'It's the devil you don't know that gets you.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, John le Carré, 1963
Unknown dangers are more frightening than known ones.
In simple terms: Fear of the unknown is powerful.
Key Takeaway
Stay informed to reduce fear.
Themes
fear
unknown
danger
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- risk management
- decision making
- security planning
- personal safety
Key Concepts
risk assessment
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What unknowns worry you?
- How to confront them?
A Different Perspective
Over‑cautiousness can paralyze action.
![“We don't ask for opinions on our outfit all the time - but for a big of event, like the Emmys, absolutely. I actually sent my sister a picture of the [J Mendel] dress I wore to the Emmys before I chose it, and she was obsessed. She was like, "Oh, I want that." And I said, "Let me wear it first!"” quote by Kate Mara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d8/kate-mara-16974_asks_we-don-t-ask-for-opinions-on-our-outfit_330475.jpg)
![“originality" is everyone's aim, and novel techniques are as much prized as new scientific discoveries. [T.S.] Eliot states it with surprising naïveté: "It is exactly as wasteful for a poet to do what has been done already as for a biologist to rediscover Mendel's discoveries.” quote by Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aa8/randall-jarrell-3811_aim_originality-is-everyone-s-aim-and-novel_641026.jpg)
![“Not that he [Uzbek] rejected Mendel's proposals or rebelled against his decisions; but he exercised a subtle, passive abrasion against every active thrust: like dust in a watch, Mendel thought to himself. He's got dust in him, even though he is young. It's stupid to say the young are strong. You…” quote by Primo Levi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/1f4/primo-levi-2751_quote_not-that-he-uzbek-rejected-mendel-s-prop_920500.jpg)
