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About this quote

What does it mean?
This advises preparing for hostility when around hostile people. It suggests maintaining self-defense against aggression.
In plain terms
Protect yourself when you are around dangerous people.
What can you take from it?
Be ready to defend yourself in hostile environments.

Where it applies

  • workplace conflict
  • unsafe neighborhoods
  • international relations

Putting it to work

  • planning for security
  • managing hostile interactions
  • teaching self defense

Questions to consider

  • When is preemptive defense justified?
  • How do we change hostile environments?

Another view

It normalizes aggression as the default human behavior.

More from Nikita Khrushchev

  1. In a fight you don't stop to choose your cudgels.

    Permalink to quote #26
  2. The press is our chief ideological weapon.

    Permalink to quote #28
  3. Life is short. Live it up.

    Permalink to quote #25

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