It was very simple: it was to appear reasonable in all circumstances, even when severely provoked.

For instance, in the wild, golden eagles are considerably more aggressive than bald eagles, which will seldom attack human beings unless severely provoked.

Despite this, they are unlikely to strike unless severely provoked.

I am not by nature a violent man, unless severely provoked.

"So do I, Florence, although I natter myself that I can control it unless I'm severely provoked."

Then again, he'd been severely provoked by this woman with the breathtaking blue eyes, now eloquently searching his face as though looking for and expecting an apologv.

Before Sept. 11, India's military had consciously chosen not to cross the line into Pakistan-held Kashmir, even when severely provoked by Pakistan in 1999.

They are not aggressive to humans and they are unlikely to bite humans unless severely provoked.

These spiders are harmless unless severely provoked, and their bite is only as bad as a bee sting.

Most specimens are docile, seldom attempting to bite unless severely provoked.