--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a curious fact about British…" description: "\"It is a curious fact about British Islanders, who hate drill and have not been invaded for nearly a thousand years, that as danger comes nearer and gro..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/954/winston-churchill-95_britain_it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islan_817566.jpg" --- # It is a curious fact about British Islanders, who hate… ![“It is a curious fact about British Islanders, who hate drill and have not been invaded for nearly a thousand years, that as danger comes nearer and grows they become progressively less nervous; when it is imminent the are fierce, when it is mortal they are fearless.” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/954/winston-churchill-95_britain_it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islan_817566.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/954/winston-churchill-95_britain_it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islan_817566.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/954/winston-churchill-95_britain_it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islan_817566.jpg) > “It is a curious fact about British Islanders, who hate drill and have not been invaded for nearly a thousand years, that as danger comes nearer and grows they become progressively less nervous; when it is imminent the are fierce, when it is mortal they are fearless.” [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. British people grow increasingly bold as danger escalates, becoming fierce when threatened and fearless when facing death. **In simple terms:** Britons become bolder under threat. Key Takeaway Embrace courage when danger looms. Themes courage resilience national identity Mood determined defiant Type historical motivational When to use this quote - wartime leadership - civil defense - public morale - enemy invasion Key Concepts psychology of fear collective behavior Questions to Reflect On - How does imminent danger change behavior? - What fuels fearlessness at mortal risk? A Different Perspective Fear can paralyze before danger is imminent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Britain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/britain/) [British](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/british/) [Danger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/danger/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Fearless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fearless/) [Hate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hate/) [Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals/) [Nervous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nervous/) [Thousand years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand-years/) ## Related quotes > [Drill in exact translation is an excellent way of disposing the mind against that looseness and exaggeration with which the sensationalists have corrupted our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-weaver/drill-in-exact-translation-is-an-excellent-way-of-disposing-the-mind/) [Richard M. Weaver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-weaver/) > [I am very glad to hear that the Gardener has saved so much of the St foin seed, & that of the India Hemp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/i-am-very-glad-to-hear-that-the-gardener-has-saved-so-much-of-the-st/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [It's exploding bags, aerosol cans Southbound buses, Peter Pan They left it up to us again I thought you knew the drill It's kill…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-oberst/it-s-exploding-bags-aerosol-cans-southbound-buses-peter-pan-they-left/) [Conor Oberst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-oberst/) > [Since I'm not focusing on my speed as much now as I was heading into the combine, I'm really focusing on my position work,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/calvin-pryor/since-i-m-not-focusing-on-my-speed-as-much-now-as-i-was-heading-into/) [Calvin Pryor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/calvin-pryor/) > [It's easy to love the snow because at the end of every snowstorm it's as if the world has started over. There is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-mcmahon/it-s-easy-to-love-the-snow-because-at-the-end-of-every-snowstorm-it-s/) [Andrew McMahon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-mcmahon/) > [In response to skyrocketing gas prices, liberals say, practically in unison, 'We can't drill our way out of this crisis.' What does that mean?…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-coulter/in-response-to-skyrocketing-gas-prices-liberals-say-practically-in/) [Ann Coulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-coulter/) > [The seven ages of man: spills, drills, thrills, bills, ills, pills and wills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-j-needham/the-seven-ages-of-man-spills-drills-thrills-bills-ills-pills-and-wills/) [Richard J. Needham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-j-needham/) > [When I was young, we used to do drills to get a feel for the man you were marking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-chiellini/when-i-was-young-we-used-to-do-drills-to-get-a-feel-for-the-man-you/) [Giorgio Chiellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-chiellini/) > [When you go out on the court whether it be for the championship or just a scrimmage, have confidence that your abilities and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-pettit/when-you-go-out-on-the-court-whether-it-be-for-the-championship-or/) Bob Pettit > [Nature abhors a lot of things, including vacuums, ships called the Marie Celeste, and the chuck keys for electric drills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/nature-abhors-a-lot-of-things-including-vacuums-ships-called-the/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [Drill your soldiers well, and give them a pattern yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-suvorov/drill-your-soldiers-well-and-give-them-a-pattern-yourself/) [Alexander Suvorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-suvorov/) > [The combination of landing the biggest interview of my career and having a drill in my back reminds me that God only gives us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-roberts/the-combination-of-landing-the-biggest-interview-of-my-career-and/) [Robin Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-roberts/) > [The media has contempt for people that voted for Trump. They have no desire to understand who they are. They already think they know.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/the-media-has-contempt-for-people-that-voted-for-trump-they-have-no/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [The indoor game is much more of a team game, having to work effectively with a group of 15 to 20 people, striving to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karch-kiraly/the-indoor-game-is-much-more-of-a-team-game-having-to-work/) [Karch Kiraly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karch-kiraly/) > [I strongly agree with Vice President Gore that we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-strongly-agree-with-vice-president-gore-that-we-cannot-drill-our/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Winston Churchill > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/this-is-no-time-for-ease-and-comfort-it-is-time-to-dare-and-endure/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Never, never, never give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/never-never-never-give-up/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most times he will pick himself up and carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/man-will-occasionally-stumble-over-the-truth-but-most-times-he-will/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [God alone knows how great it is. All I hope is that it is not too late. I am very much afraid that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/god-alone-knows-how-great-it-is-all-i-hope-is-that-it-is-not-too-late/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [When you're 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you're 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you're 60 you realize no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/when-you-re-20-you-care-what-everyone-thinks-when-you-re-40-you-stop/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [Writing a book is an adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/writing-a-book-is-an-adventure/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/all-men-make-mistakes-but-only-wise-men-learn-from-their-mistakes/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and defy the clamor of the multitude are not fit to be ministers in time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/people-who-are-not-prepared-to-do-unpopular-things-and-defy-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [To meet Roosevelt with all his buoyant sparkle, his iridescence, was like opening a bottle of champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/to-meet-roosevelt-with-all-his-buoyant-sparkle-his-iridescence-was/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-am-always-ready-to-learn-although-i-do-not-always-like-being-taught/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There are plenty of good ideas, if only they can be backed with the power of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/there-are-plenty-of-good-ideas-if-only-they-can-be-backed-with-the/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) [Explore all 1,366 Winston Churchill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) ## More Britain quotes > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [In Britain, the press want to kill a show by revealing what's coming up and spoiling the pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-bonneville/in-britain-the-press-want-to-kill-a-show-by-revealing-what-s-coming/) [Hugh Bonneville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-bonneville/) > [If we don't like modern Britain, then it is very unlikely that modern Britain will like us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damian-green/if-we-don-t-like-modern-britain-then-it-is-very-unlikely-that-modern/) [Damian Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damian-green/) > [It is time Britain put its trust back into the Labour Party. I believe I am the candidate that can make this happen precisely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-abbott/it-is-time-britain-put-its-trust-back-into-the-labour-party-i-believe/) [Diane Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-abbott/) > [Britain has the IRA and no one cancels concerts there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-osbourne/britain-has-the-ira-and-no-one-cancels-concerts-there/) [Sharon Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-osbourne/) > [The establishment in Britain is certainly against the arts and against education. If something doesn't make a profit, it's invalid, and art doesn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-maxwell-davies/the-establishment-in-britain-is-certainly-against-the-arts-and/) [Peter Maxwell Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-maxwell-davies/) > [We from every religion feel comfortable in Britain because there is a host. The Church of England is a good host, it has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-sacks/we-from-every-religion-feel-comfortable-in-britain-because-there-is-a/) [Jonathan Sacks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-sacks/) > [The larger an English industry was, the more likely it was to go bankrupt, because the English were not naturally corporate people; they disliked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-theroux/the-larger-an-english-industry-was-the-more-likely-it-was-to-go/) [Paul Theroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-theroux/) > [I think the first person to call me 'Britain's Obama' was Martin Bright at the New Statesman. Harriet Harman made the comparison once at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuka-umunna/i-think-the-first-person-to-call-me-britain-s-obama-was-martin-bright/) [Chuka Umunna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuka-umunna/) > [I am the last of Britain's stately homos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/i-am-the-last-of-britain-s-stately-homos/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [ As for whether what happened in Britain improves\[Donald\] Trump's chances of winning, I don't think so. He has the same chances; we may just… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-michael-cillizza/as-for-whether-what-happened-in-britain-improves-donald-trump-s/) [Christopher Michael Cillizza](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-michael-cillizza/) > [Britain, like other European states, is not and never will again be in the top-world-power league, so its male leaders can afford to play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-colley/britain-like-other-european-states-is-not-and-never-will-again-be-in/) [Linda Colley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-colley/) > [When you go away, you see where you come from in a different light. I see Scotland, and the rest of Britain, as much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/when-you-go-away-you-see-where-you-come-from-in-a-different-light-i/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [It was very hard breaking into the film industry in Britain. I had been to art school, and I was painting and doing commercials.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-scott/it-was-very-hard-breaking-into-the-film-industry-in-britain-i-had/) [Tony Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-scott/) > [Germany has always stood for an E.U. of the 27 countries. But in light of Britain's continued resistance to further integration steps, as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-schauble/germany-has-always-stood-for-an-e-u-of-the-27-countries-but-in-light/) [Wolfgang Schauble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-schauble/) [Browse all 1,648 Britain quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/britain/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is a curious fact about British Islanders, who hate drill and have not been invaded for nearly a thousand years, that as danger comes nearer and grows they become progressively less nervous; when it is imminent the are fierce, when it is mortal they are fearless.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Winston Churchill" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islanders-who-hate-drill-and-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Britain" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islanders-who-hate-drill-and-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/954/winston-churchill-95_britain_it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islan_817566.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/954/winston-churchill-95_britain_it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islan_817566.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/954/winston-churchill-95_britain_it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islan_817566.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is a curious fact about British Islanders, who hate drill and have not been invaded for nearly a thousand…” — Winston Churchill", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Winston Churchill", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is a curious fact about...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islanders-who-hate-drill-and-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/it-is-a-curious-fact-about-british-islanders-who-hate-drill-and-have/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```