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About this quote

What does it mean?
Once you enter a dangerous situation, getting out may be more dangerous than staying.
In plain terms
Once you ride a tiger, you cannot get off safely.
What can you take from it?
Dangerous commitments can become inescapable.

Where it applies

  • conflict escalation
  • career traps
  • dangerous alliances

Putting it to work

  • assess exit strategies
  • avoid dangerous alliances

Questions to consider

  • How do you escape a dangerous commitment?
  • When is staying safer than leaving?

Another view

The metaphor implies no solution exists when other paths might.

More from Ernest Bramah

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  3. He is capable of any crime, from reviling the Classics to diverting water courses.

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