Justifiable paranoia?

I think this says a lot about the temperamental nature of many conductors.  In multiple high school and college orchestras, I sometimes thought, "The conductor wouldn't really kill us, would he, if we're slightly out of tune or time?  Nah...Then again, he might maim us, though.  I'd better play this piece to the best of my ability.  Hopefully, everyone else will do the same, so there's no collateral damage."