But it is equally incontrovertible that if our intelligence

When Adam Schiff declared, “But it is equally incontrovertible that if our intelligence gathering process is seriously flawed, we had better find out and find out fast if we are to avoid another Sept. 11,” he spoke with the gravity of one who had looked into the heart of catastrophe and sought to ensure it would never rise again. His words are not merely political—they are a cry for clarity and vigilance, a reminder that when the guardians of a nation falter in wisdom or foresight, the cost is measured not in numbers, but in lives. In these words, Schiff calls upon the ancient and eternal truth that knowledge is the first defense of civilization, and ignorance its most dangerous enemy.

The origin of this quote comes from the tense and fearful years following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States—a day when the towers of modern pride fell to the weapons of hatred, and the illusion of security was torn apart in smoke and sorrow. In the aftermath, as investigations unfolded, it became clear that warnings had been missed, intelligence had been fragmented, and systems meant to protect had failed to see the storm gathering before them. Schiff’s words, spoken in this shadowed time, were both an indictment and a commandment: that a nation so powerful in might must never again be blind in understanding.

To say that “we had better find out and find out fast” carries the urgency of survival itself. For in a world where threats move unseen and enemies wield not armies but ideas, intelligence is the shield of the free. Schiff’s statement reflects the timeless duty of leadership—to seek truth before tragedy, to question systems before they break, and to act not in complacency but in foresight. It is the same wisdom that guided the ancient generals and statesmen who knew that the strength of a fortress lies not in its walls, but in the eyes that watch the horizon.

The ancients taught this lesson through the story of Troy, a city said to be impregnable, undone not by force, but by deception—the Trojan Horse, the unseen enemy within. The watchmen of Troy saw the wooden gift but failed to question its silence. They celebrated when they should have inquired. So it was, too, before September 11—a failure not of courage, but of perception; not of power, but of coordination and vigilance. Schiff’s words, then, are not aimed only at intelligence agencies—they are a call to every guardian of truth: never stop asking, never stop watching, never stop learning, for ignorance is the oldest enemy of all.

In the wisdom of Sun Tzu, it is said: “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” But if knowledge falters, defeat is inevitable, no matter how mighty the sword. Schiff understood that intelligence is not just information—it is understanding woven into readiness. A nation that gathers knowledge without reflection, or acts without integration, builds its defenses upon sand. His call was therefore not only for more data, but for deeper discernment—for a mind that connects the fragments before they become fractures.

And yet, Schiff’s words reach beyond the realm of nations. They are a warning to every society, every institution, even every individual. For we all possess our own systems of intelligence—our instincts, our reason, our awareness—and when these become dulled or divided, calamity follows. In life as in governance, to avoid disaster we must face our flaws swiftly and honestly, lest they grow into forces beyond our control. Delay is the ally of danger; courage is the ally of truth.

The lesson, then, is both political and eternal: do not turn away from failure—study it, learn from it, and act upon it. The wise do not fear the discovery of error; they fear the consequences of ignoring it. Whether in the affairs of nations or the journey of the soul, vigilance must be constant, and humility must guide inquiry. To “find out and find out fast,” as Schiff said, is not only a matter of security—it is the practice of wisdom itself.

So let this truth be passed down like a flame from generation to generation: knowledge is the guardian of peace, and truth, however uncomfortable, is the foundation of safety. To remain awake—to question, to refine, to act with foresight—is the duty of all who would keep their world from ruin. For when intelligence fails, catastrophe is born; but when truth is pursued without fear, even the darkest night can be kept at bay.