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About this quote

What does it mean?
Trying to control the world ignores how much changes while you focus on holding it.
In plain terms
You can't freeze time while holding power.
What can you take from it?
Control comes at the cost of change.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • governance
  • planning

Putting it to work

  • adapt to change
  • let go
  • monitor context

Questions to consider

  • How do you handle change?
  • What are you holding too tightly?

Another view

Sometimes stability is needed amidst change.

More from Tom Stoppard

  1. Michael: 'March here, march there, present arms, where's your cap?' - you've no idea, the whole Army's obsessed with playing at soldiers.

    Permalink to quote #47
  2. Herzen: Marx is a bourgeois from the anus up. Natalie : Alexander! I won't have that word... Herzen: Sorry, middle-class.

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. Alexander: No spunk, simple as that! Your brother's an army deserter! Michael: Oh yes, I've resigned my commission. Alexander: He's refusing to return to duty.…

    Permalink to quote #46

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