--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Mayor spoke proudly. 'Yes, they will…" description: "\"“The Mayor spoke proudly. 'Yes, they will light it. I have no choice of living or dying, you see, sir, but—I do have a choice of how I do it. If I tell..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/john-steinbeck-71_life_the-mayor-spoke-proudly-yes-they-will-li_2378149.jpg" --- # The Mayor spoke proudly. 'Yes, they will light it. I have… ![“The Mayor spoke proudly. 'Yes, they will light it. I have no choice of living or dying, you see, sir, but—I do have a choice of how I do it. If I tell them not to fight, they will be sorry, but they will fight. If I tell them to fight, they will be glad, and I who am not a very brae man will have…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/john-steinbeck-71_life_the-mayor-spoke-proudly-yes-they-will-li_2378149.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/john-steinbeck-71_life_the-mayor-spoke-proudly-yes-they-will-li_2378149.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea5/john-steinbeck-71_life_the-mayor-spoke-proudly-yes-they-will-li_2378149.jpg) > ““The Mayor spoke proudly. 'Yes, they will light it. I have no choice of living or dying, you see, sir, but—I do have a choice of how I do it. If I tell them not to fight, they will be sorry, but they will fight. If I tell them to fight, they will be glad, and I who am not a very brae man will have made them a little braver.' He smiled apologetically. 'You see, it is an easy thing to do, since the end for me is the same.' Lanser said, "If you say yes, we can tell them you said no. We can tell them you begged for your life.' And Winter broke in angrily, 'They would know. You do not keep secrets. One of your men got out of hand one night and he said the flies had conquered the flypaper, and now the whole nation knows his words. They have made a song of it. The flies have conquered the flypaper. You do not keep secrets, Colonel.”” [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leadership involves choosing how to influence others, balancing honesty with the consequences of either encouraging or discouraging action. **In simple terms:** Leaders decide how to motivate people. Key Takeaway Choose your influence wisely. Themes leadership ethics choice Mood thoughtful serious Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - political decisions - military commands - team management - public speaking Key Concepts responsibility motivation Questions to Reflect On - When should a leader reveal the truth? - What are the costs of encouraging conflict? A Different Perspective Moral dilemmas can complicate decision‑making. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [“The flies have conquered the flypaper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/the-flies-have-conquered-the-flypaper/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [“Lanser said, "There are no peaceful people, when will you learn it? 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'Yes, they will light it. I have no choice of living or dying, you see, sir, but—I do have a choice of how I do it. If I tell them not to fight, they will be sorry, but they will fight. If I tell them to fight, they will be glad, and I who am not a very brae man will have made them a little braver.' He smiled apologetically. 'You see, it is an easy thing to do, since the end for me is the same.' Lanser said, \"If you say yes, we can tell them you said no. We can tell them you begged for your life.' And Winter broke in angrily, 'They would know. You do not keep secrets. One of your men got out of hand one night and he said the flies had conquered the flypaper, and now the whole nation knows his words. They have made a song of it. The flies have conquered the flypaper. 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