Give a soldier an anvil, just a hunk of metal, and drive him out into the desert and leave him. In two weeks - when you go to get him, the anvil will be broken.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Abrams compares a stressed soldier to an anvil that breaks under extreme desert conditions.
- In plain terms
- Extreme stress will break even the strongest person eventually.
- What can you take from it?
- Even the tough have limits under sustained pressure.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What breaks a person under stress?
- How do we support those under pressure?
Another view
The metaphor is harsh and might discourage asking for help.
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