Accepted Quote by William C. Dietz
“Fifty or sixty shooters had already arrived and managed to look studiously bored. I knew a few of them and nodded politely. No one asked me to sit next to them, nor would I have accepted if they had. It's better that way, in case you end up on opposite sides of a fight, and a whole lot safer. Friends can betray you. Strangers can't.”
About This Quote
Describes arriving at a gathering of armed individuals, choosing to keep distance to avoid conflict, emphasizing that strangers are safer than friends in hostile settings.
In simple terms: He stays distant from armed acquaintances for safety.
Strangers may be more reliable than friends in dangerous contexts.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- conflict zones
- security briefings
- team‑building exercises
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- maintaining professional detachment
- training on situational awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- When is distance more protective than camaraderie?
- How can trust be built without compromising safety?
Complete distrust can erode cooperation needed for collective safety.