Because it had become passive, failed to raise its voice; and especially because it had handed meekly to Caesar and Sulla the power of the pursestrings.
The Origins of Totalitarianism 极权主义的起源 汉娜·阿伦特 by Tom
It means, rather, examining and bearing consciously the burden which our century has placed on us—neither denying its existence nor submitting meekly to its weight.
For once the European bit of NATO, determinedly led by France and Britain, took the initiative in a military campaign rather than meekly (or grumpily) following the Americans to war.