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Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle gained.
Duke Of Wellington
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Gaining victory often comes with significant costs and consequences that can outweigh the benefits.

This quote by the Duke of Wellington suggests that while victory in battle is generally seen as a positive outcome, it can lead to profound misery and loss, sometimes making the pain of defeat seem less severe. It highlights the complexity of success, where achieving a goal, especially in conflict, can bring unexpected hardships and sorrow, emphasizing that the repercussions of our victories can often overshadow the triumph.

Themes

BattleVictoryMiseryWisdomOutcomesSuccess

In practice

Example use cases

A speaker at a military conference might use this quote to discuss the toll of warfare.

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Nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won.
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Next to a lost battle, nothing is so sad as a battle that has been won.
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