From Shakespeare's "Henry V" --
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger"
"In peace there's nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility" -- what a wonderful line, no? Shakespeare is saying that stillness and humility are virtues most of the time.
But the remainder of the time -- when it's peace no more -- stillness and humility aren't called for. Then, you imitate the actions of the tiger.
Perhaps it's why Shakespeare is still so widely enjoyed -- he captured human nature well. In times of steadfastness, we prefer the steady and levelheaded. But when times are insane or crazy, we turn to crisis leaders -- those who imitate the actions of the tiger.