All of Western tradition, from the late bloom of the British Empire right through the early doom of Vietnam, dictates that you do something spectacular and irreversible whenever you find yourself in or whenever you impose yourself upon a wholly unfamiliar situation belonging to somebody else. Frequently it's your soul or your honor or your manhood, or democracy itself, at stake.

Summary

This quote highlights a recurring theme in Western tradition that calls for bold and irreversible actions when confronted with unfamiliar or foreign situations. It suggests that the expectation is to go to great lengths, often sacrificing aspects such as one's soul, honor, manhood, or even democratic values to prove oneself or preserve a perceived sense of superiority in such encounters. The quote implies that Western tradition often prioritizes dramatic acts of significance rather than seeking understanding or achieving peaceful resolutions when engaging with other cultures or contexts.

Topics