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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

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B. H. Liddell Hart
Age: 74 †
Born: 1895
Born: October 31
Died: 1970
Died: January 29
Historian
Journalist
Military Historian
Writer
Paris
France
Sir Basil Henry Liddell Hart
Basil Henry Liddell Hart
State
Latter
Weaker
Others
Partners
Involve
States
Attempt
Automatically
Firsts
Defeat
Concentrate
First
Army
Partner
Stronger
Collapse
Military
Campaign
Overthrow
Belief
Campaigns
Fruitful

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The more closely [the German army] converged on [Stalingrad], the narrower became their scope for tactical manoeuvre as a lever in loosening resistance. By contrast, the narrowing of the frontage made it easier for the defender to switch his local reserves to any threatened point on the defensive arc.
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For even the best of peace training is more theoretical than practical experience ... indirect practical experience may be the more valuable because infinitely wider.
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A commander should have a profound understanding of human nature, the knack of smoothing out troubles, the power of winning affection while communicating energy, and the capacity for ruthless determination where require by circumstances. He needs to generate an electrifying current, and to keep a cool head in applying it.
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Air Power is, above all, a psychological weapon - and only short-sighted soldiers, too battle-minded, underrate the importance of psychological factors in war.
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The theory of the indirect approach operates on the line of least expectation.
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No man can exactly calculate the capacity of human genius and stupidity, nor the incapacity of will.
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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.
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War is always a matter of doing evil in the hope that good may come of it.
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While hitting one must guard ... In order to hit with effect, the enemy must be taken off his guard.
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With growing experience, all skillful commanders sought to profit by the power of the defensive, even when on the offensive.
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The urge to gain release from tension by action is a precipitating cause of war.
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An army should always be so distributed that its parts can aid each other and combine to produce the maximum possible concentration of force at one place, while the minimum force necessary is used elsewhere to prepare the success of the concentration.
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Avoid self-righteousness like the devil- nothing is so self-blinding.
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The unexpected cannot guarantee success, but it guarantees the best chance of success.
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If you wish for peace, understand war.
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Loss of hope rather than loss of life is what decides the issues of war. But helplessness induces hopelessness.
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Direct pressure always tends to harden and consolidate the resistance of an opponent.
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Guerrilla war is a kind of war waged by the few but dependent on the support of many.
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The effect to be sought is the dislocation of the opponent's mind and dispositions - such an effect is the true gauge of an indirect approach.
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A complacent satisfaction with present knowledge is the chief bar to the pursuit of knowledge.
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