I believe that the entire effort of modern society should be concentrated on the endeavor to outlaw war as a method of the solution of problems between nations.
Douglas MacarthurRead
War's very object is victory, not prolonged indecision. In war there is no substitute for victory.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Victory in war is the ultimate goal, and prolonged indecision can lead to failure.
This quote by Douglas MacArthur emphasizes the importance of decisiveness in warfare. It asserts that the end goal of war is to achieve victory, and that lingering in uncertainty can undermine success. MacArthur suggests that hesitation will not lead to positive outcomes, and that clear and bold actions are necessary to secure triumph.
Themes
VictoryWarDecisivenessSuccessStrategy
In practice
Example use cases
In a military briefing to emphasize the need for clear objectives.
More from Douglas Macarthur
All quotes βIn my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.
Douglas MacarthurRead
Worry, doubt, fear and despair are the enemies which slowly bring us down to the ground and turn us to dust before we die.
Douglas MacarthurRead
We are not retreating - we are advancing in another direction.
Douglas MacarthurRead
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.
Douglas MacarthurRead
No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.
Douglas MacarthurRead
Similar quotes
When something is new and hard and bright, there ought to be something a little better for it than just being safe, since the safe things are just the things that folks have been doing so long they have worn the edges off and there's nothing to the doing of them that leaves a man to say, That was not done before and it cannot be done again.
William FaulknerRead
Until one has given all, one has given nothing.
Georges GuynemerRead
So they didn't let anybody else off. I can't live like this, I'm finished. Auschwitz was easy.
Witold PileckiRead
The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
People have responded to my stories so well. They come up after a show and say things like, 'Your album really helped me,' or 'I have stage four cancer. I'm terminally ill.' Somebody told me it gave them the courage to die.
Tig NotaroRead
I refuse to accept that the shackles of slavery can ever be stronger than the quest for freedom.
Kailash SatyarthiRead