a salutary
fear of the future, makes one
watchful, combative
The beginning of wisdom, as Tocqueville put it, is to “have that salutary fear of the future that makes one watchful and combative, and not that sort of soft and idle terror that wears hearts down and enervates them.
Have that salutary fear.
Be watchful.
And.
Be combative.
There might be roving groups of ‘tourists’ trying to find their way into local public buildings.
Or maybe that Washington Riot was just an ‘over reaction’ and really did not take place.
Be watchful as the story gets changed.
As one feller said, you’ll be shocked by what never happened.
Then be combative!
Don’t let be overcome by the sort of soft and idle terror that wears hearts down.
Salutary?
An adjective, (especially with reference to something unwelcome or unpleasant) producing good effects; beneficial. IE: “a salutary reminder of where we came from”
Enervates?
To cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken.