Those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside
Interpretation
Pursuing power without understanding its consequences can lead to one's downfall.
This quote by John F. Kennedy warns of the dangers associated with the quest for power. It illustrates the idea that those who attempt to control or manipulate powerful forces without recognizing their inherent risks may ultimately find themselves consumed by those forces, just like a person who rides a tiger may be overtaken and harmed by the very creature they thought they could control.
In practice
This quote serves as a cautionary reminder during a political debate about the ethics of seeking power.
The great battleground for the defense and expansion of freedom today is the whole southern half of the globe... the lands of the rising peoples. Their revolution is the greatest in human history. They seek an end to injustice, tyranny and exploitation. More than an end, they seek a beginning.
I had always enjoyed the title of Commander-in-Chief until I was informed ... that the only forces that cannot be transferred from Washington without my express permission are the members of the Marine Corps Band. Those are the only forces I have. I want it announced that we propose to hold the White House against all odds at least for some time to come.
I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their children - not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and women - not merely peace in our time but peace for all time.
I just received the following wire from my generous Daddy; Dear Jack, Don't buy a single vote more than is necessary. I'll be damned if I'm going to pay for a landslide.
Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.
Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.
If, therefore, the Greeks or others say that they are not committed to Peter and to his successors, they necessarily say that they are not of the sheep of Christ, since the Lord says that there is only one fold and one shepherd (Jn.10:16). Whoever, therefore, resists this authority, resists the command of God Himself.
What to an outsider will be no more than the vigorous presentation of a conviction, to an employee may be the manifestation of a determination which it is not safe to thwart.
Your job is to umpire for the ball and not the player.
I've seen it again and again in my consulting: Most teams are too large to be innovative, despite their leaders' best intentions.
Women are often meeker in meetings and afraid to ask for raises and promotions. I've told countless female colleagues to stop apologizing when they ask for more. It's not personal, it's business.
The purpose of an organization is to enable ordinary humans beings to do extraordinary things.
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