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About this quote

What does it mean?
If you are met with aggressive or risky tactics, respond with similar force.
In plain terms
If you attack me with risky moves, I will attack you with worse ones.
What can you take from it?
Match aggressive tactics with proportionally strong responses.

Where it applies

  • diplomatic disputes
  • business negotiations
  • personal conflicts

Putting it to work

  • defend aggressively
  • set clear boundaries

Questions to consider

  • When is escalation justified?
  • How do you stop a cycle of attacks?

Another view

Escalation can lead to mutually destructive outcomes.

More from Nikita Khrushchev

  1. If Adenauer were here with us in the sauna, we could see for ourselves that Germany is and will remain divided but also that Germany never will rise again.

    Permalink to quote #3
  2. Comrades! We must abolish the cult of the individual decisively, once and for all.

    Permalink to quote #5
  3. I am very glad to hear this, since I come from the Ukraine. From now on I can sleep peacefully. I will immediately telegraph my daughter in Kiev.

    Permalink to quote #2

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