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About this quote

What does it mean?
The situation has become dangerous or serious and cannot be easily undone.
In plain terms
Things have gotten out of control.
What can you take from it?
Act before things escalate beyond repair.

Where it applies

  • conflict escalation
  • project management

Putting it to work

  • early intervention
  • risk assessment

Questions to consider

  • When did you realize a situation was out of control?
  • How do you prevent small issues from becoming fires?

Another view

Sometimes delaying action allows for better preparation.

More from John Heywood

  1. He that will not when he may, When he would he shall have nay.

    Permalink to quote #6

  2. When the sun shineth, make hay.

    Permalink to quote #8

  3. Look ere ye leap.

    Permalink to quote #5

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