Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
This fragment suggests using force or extremes when other methods fail.
In plain terms
Use this only when nothing else works.
What can you take from it?
Reserve extreme measures for last resorts.

Where it applies

  • negotiations
  • conflict
  • decision making

Putting it to work

  • exhaust other options first
  • know when to escalate
  • be decisive

Questions to consider

  • What do you do when words fail?
  • Is escalation ever justified?

Another view

It lacks context to know what method is meant.

More from W. C. Fields

  1. Women are like elephants, to me: I like to look at 'em, but I wouldn't want to own one.

    Permalink to quote #69
  2. You can't cheat an honest man. He has to have larceny in his heart in the first place.

    Permalink to quote #71
  3. When life hands you lemons, make whisky sours

    Permalink to quote #68

Related quotes

  1. It is only for those to employ force who possess strength without judgment; but the well advised will have recourse to other means. Besides, he who pretends to…

    XenophonXenophon quote #1
  2. I shall ask no more than that you agree with Dean Inge that even though counting heads is not an ideal way to govern, at least it is better than breaking them.

    Learned HandLearned Hand quote #12
  3. Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo.

    VirgilVirgil quote #21