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Gaze Quote by Tom Clancy

“audience, not interrupting once, only darting a few disbelieving looks at him. ‘God Almighty,’ Painter said when Ryan finished. Davenport just stared poker-faced as he contemplated the possibility of examining a Soviet missile sub from the inside. Jack decided he’d be a formidable opponent over…” quote by Tom Clancy
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““audience, not interrupting once, only darting a few disbelieving looks at him. ‘God Almighty,’ Painter said when Ryan finished. Davenport just stared poker-faced as he contemplated the possibility of examining a Soviet missile sub from the inside. Jack decided he’d be a formidable opponent over cards. Painter went on, ‘Do you really believe this?’ ‘Yes, sir, I do.’ Ryan poured himself another cup of coffee. He would have preferred a beer to go with his corned beef. It hadn’t been bad at all, and good kosher corned beef was something he’d been unable to find in London. Painter leaned back and looked at Davenport. ‘Charlie, you tell Greer to teach this lad a few lessons – like how a bureaucrat ain’t supposed to stick his neck this far out on the block. Don’t you think this is a little far-fetched?’ ‘Josh, Ryan here’s the guy who did the report last June on Soviet missile-sub patrol patterns.’ ‘Oh? That was a nice piece of work. It confirmed something I’ve been saying for two or three years.’ Painter rose and walked to the corner to look out at the stormy sea. ‘So, what are we supposed to do about all this?””

Tom Clancy

About This Quote

Source Novel: The Hunt for Red October (1990)

A conversation reveals skepticism and belief in a bold, risky plan, highlighting tension between doubt and conviction.

In simple terms: People argue about daring ideas, some trust them, some doubt.

Key Takeaway

Balance skepticism with open‑mindedness.

Themes

risk belief skepticism leadership

Mood

tense reflective

Type

dialogue strategic

When to use this quote

  • military planning
  • strategic discussions
  • team briefings
  • risk assessment

Key Concepts

confidence trust decision‑making

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you trust ideas that seem far‑fetched?
  • How can doubt be constructive?
A Different Perspective

Overconfidence can blind teams to practical limits.

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