It is a socialist idea that making profits is a vice; I consider the real vice is making losses.
Winston ChurchillRead
I don't like standing near the edge of a platform when an express train is passing through. I like to stand right back and if possible get a pillar between me and the train. I don't like to stand by the side of a ship and look down into the water. A second's action would end everything. A few drops of desperation.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a fear of dangerous situations and the instinct to avoid risk for safety.
Winston Churchill's quote reflects a deep-seated apprehension towards perilous scenarios, emphasizing a desire for self-preservation. By describing his cautious behavior in potentially dangerous environments, such as standing by the edge of a train platform or looking down from a ship, Churchill illustrates the importance of recognizing and respecting fear. He underscores that a moment of reckless actions could lead to dire consequences, presenting a sobering reminder of the fragility of life and the need for caution.
Themes
FearSafetyCautionDangerLife
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about risk management, I can refer to Churchill's quote to emphasize the importance of caution.
More from Winston Churchill
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Politics is almost as exciting as war, and quite as dangerous. In war you can only be killed once, but in politics many times.
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I will not pretend that if I had to choose between communism and Nazism I would choose communism.
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Mountaintops inspire leaders but valleys mature them.
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True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information.
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