"Only once in my life was I on the edge of incivility"

This quote by David Rockefeller recommends that he has actually experienced a moment of extreme disappointment or anger in his life. It implies that he was close to acting in an uncivilized manner, however had the ability to restrain himself. This could be translated as an indication of his maturity and self-control, as he was able to acknowledge the effects of his actions and select to stay civil. It might likewise be seen as a tip to others to think prior to they act, and to think about the repercussions of their behavior. The quote might also be analyzed as an alerting to others to be mindful of their own emotions and to be familiar with the capacity for incivility in any circumstance. Eventually, this quote functions as a reminder to be conscious of our own emotions and to make every effort to stay civil in all scenarios.