For the spread and endurance of an idea the originator is dependent on the self-development of the receivers and transmitters. B. H. Liddell Hart More Quotes by B. H. Liddell Hart More Quotes From B. H. Liddell Hart I used to think that the causes of war were predominantly economic. I came to think that they were more psychological. I am now coming to think that they are decisively "personal," arising from the defects and ambitions of those who have the power to influence the currents of nations. B. H. Liddell Hart ambition war thinking Opposition to the truth is inevitable, especially if it takes the form of a new idea, but the degree of resistance can be diminished- by giving thought not only to the aim but to the method of approach. Avoid a frontal attack on a long established position; instead, seek to turn it by flank movement, so that a more penetrable side is exposed to the thrust of truth. But, in any such indirect approach, take care not to diverge from the truth- for nothing is more fatal to its real advancement than to lapse into untruth. B. H. Liddell Hart real giving ideas Inflict the least possible permanent injury, for the enemy of to-day is the customer of the morrow and the ally of the future B. H. Liddell Hart allies military enemy In any problem where an opposing force exists and cannot be regulated, one must foresee and provide for alternative courses. Adaptability is the law which governs survival in war as in life ... To be practical, any plan must take account of the enemy's power to frustrate it; the best chance of overcoming such obstruction is to have a plan that can be easily varied to fit the circumstances met. B. H. Liddell Hart military law war War is always a matter of doing evil in the hope that good may come of it. B. H. Liddell Hart military evil war If we clear the air of the fog of catchwords which surround the conduct of war, and grasp that in the human will lies the source and mainspring of all conflict, as of all other activities of man's life, it becomes clear that our object in war can only be attained by the subjugation of the opposing will. All acts, such as defeat in the field, propaganda, blockade, diplomacy, or attack on the centres of government and population, are seen to be but means to that end. B. H. Liddell Hart war mean lying Guerrilla war is a kind of war waged by the few but dependent on the support of many. B. H. Liddell Hart support kind war Loss of hope rather than loss of life is what decides the issues of war. But helplessness induces hopelessness. B. H. Liddell Hart issues loss war No man can exactly calculate the capacity of human genius and stupidity, nor the incapacity of will. B. H. Liddell Hart stupidity military men With growing experience, all skillful commanders sought to profit by the power of the defensive, even when on the offensive. B. H. Liddell Hart offensive growing military To foster the people's willing spirit is often as important as to possess the more concrete forms of power. B. H. Liddell Hart important military people The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection upon the whole history of war. But we can at least crystallize the lessons into two simple maxims- one negative, the other positive. The first is that, in face of the overwhelming evidence of history, no general is justified in launching his troops to a direct attack upon an enemy firmly in position. The second, that instead of seeking to upset the enemy's equilibrium by one's attack, it must be upset before a real attack is, or can be successfully launched B. H. Liddell Hart real war art The search for the truth for truth's sake is the mark of the historian. B. H. Liddell Hart historian mark sake In a campaign against more than one state or army, it is more fruitful to concentrate first against the weaker partner than to attempt the overthrow of the stronger in the belief that the latter's defeat will automatically involve the collapse of the others. B. H. Liddell Hart stronger army military Vitality springs from diversity -- which makes for real progress so long as there is mutual toleration, based on the recognition that worse may come from an attempt to suppress differences than from acceptance of them. For this reason, the kind of peace that makes progress possible is best assured by the mutual checks created by a balance of forces-alike in the sphere of internal politics and of international relations. B. H. Liddell Hart real spring peace While the nominal strength of a country is represented by its numbers and resources, this muscular development is dependent on the state of its internal organs and nerve-system - upon its stability of control, morale, and supply. B. H. Liddell Hart military numbers country This high proportion of history's decisive campaigns, the significance of which is enhanced by the comparative rarity of the direct approach, enforces the conclusion that the indirect is by far the most hopeful and economic form of strategy. B. H. Liddell Hart direct-approach hopeful military It is thus more potent, as well as more economical, to disarm the enemy than to attempt his destruction by hard fighting ... A strategist should think in terms of paralysing, not of killing. B. H. Liddell Hart fighting military thinking [The] aim is not so much to seek battle as to seek a strategic situation so advantageous that if it does not of itself produce the decision, its continuation by a battle is sure to achieve this. In other words, dislocation is the aim of strategy. B. H. Liddell Hart battle decision military As has happened so often in history, victory had bred a complacency and fostered an orthodoxy which led to defeat in the next war. B. H. Liddell Hart victory military war
