In should be the duty of every soldier to reflect on the experiences of the past, in the endeavor to discover improvements, in his particular sphere of action, which are practicable in the immediate future.
B. H. Liddell HartRead
The most effective indirect approach is one that lures or startles the opponent into a false move - so that, as in ju-jitsu, his own effort is turned into the lever of his overthrow.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes using indirect methods to gain an advantage over an opponent by exploiting their mistakes.
B. H. Liddell Hart's quote illustrates the principle of indirect strategy in conflict, where instead of confronting the opponent head-on, one entices them to make a mistake. This mental jiu-jitsu allows the strategist to use the opponent's own actions against them, effectively turning their strengths into vulnerabilities and leading to their defeat.
Themes
StrategyIndirectAdvantageOpponentConflict
In practice
Example use cases
In a leadership meeting, one might use this quote to suggest a more strategic approach to resolving team conflicts.
More from B. H. Liddell Hart
All quotes →The easiest and quickest path into the esteem of traditional military authorities is by the appeal to the eye, rather than to the mind. The `polish and pipeclay' school is not yet extinct, and it is easier for the mediocre intelligence to become an authority on buttons, than on tactics.
B. H. Liddell HartRead
The practical value of history is to throw the film of the past through the material projector of the present on to the screen of the future.
B. H. Liddell HartRead
The chief incalculable in war is the human will.
B. H. Liddell HartRead
Air Power is, above all, a psychological weapon - and only short-sighted soldiers, too battle-minded, underrate the importance of psychological factors in war.
B. H. Liddell HartRead
The hydrogen bomb is not the answer to the Western peoples' dream of full and final insurance of their security ... While it has increased their striking power it has sharpened their anxiety and deepened their sense of insecurity.
B. H. Liddell HartRead
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