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About this quote

What does it mean?
When survival is at stake, normal rules do not apply.
In plain terms
In a crisis, people break rules to survive.
What can you take from it?
Desperation overrides standard rules.

Where it applies

  • emergency situations
  • warfare
  • resource scarcity

Putting it to work

  • prepare for crises
  • know your limits
  • act decisively

Questions to consider

  • Is it ever right to break the law to survive?
  • What rules should always hold during emergencies?

Another view

Following laws even in crisis can sometimes save more lives in the long run.

More from Publilius Syrus

  1. Familiarity breeds contempt.

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  2. We should provide in peace what we need in war

    Permalink to quote #54
  3. Speech is a mirror of the soul: as a man speaks, so is he.

    Permalink to quote #51

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