A war is not lost until you consider it lost.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Defeat in war is determined by perception and resolve rather than objective circumstances.
- In plain terms
- You only lose a war if you decide to give up.
- What can you take from it?
- Perception of defeat often precedes actual loss.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is surrender the right choice?
- How does mindset affect outcome?
Another view
This ignores situations where continued resistance is futile or harmful.
More from Erich von Manstein
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