In this excerpt from Martin Gilbert's volume on Winston S. Churchill, the author suggests that opting for complacency and acceptance in difficult times may lead to superficial praise. By surrendering to external pressures and passively allowing the nation to be taken advantage of, we might garner positive sentiments from others, particularly in Europe. However, such an approach can be detrimental to the taxpayers who expect more substantial action and results from their leaders.

Churchill implies that there is a moral obligation to confront challenges rather than retreat into a state of passivity, which might be celebrated as diplomatic but fails to address the pressing issues at hand. He emphasizes that hollow compliments and friendly appearances should not replace meaningful governance and economic responsibility, especially when the welfare of the country’s taxpayers is at stake.