Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Only engage in conflicts where there is a clear benefit to victory.
In plain terms
Don't start a fight unless you gain something from winning.
What can you take from it?
We strategic value before committing to conflict.

Where it applies

  • business negotiations
  • personal disputes
  • resource allocation

Putting it to work

  • evaluate risks
  • define objectives
  • decline futile fights

Questions to consider

  • What do you hope to gain?
  • Is the cost worth the prize?

Another view

Sometimes moral duty requires fighting even without tangible gain.

More from George S. Patton

  1. We entered a synagogue which was packed with the greatest stinking bunch of humanity I have ever seen. Either these Displaced Persons never had any sense of de…

    Permalink to quote #9
  2. Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, tr…

    Permalink to quote #11
  3. I don't know what you think you're trying to do, but the krauts ought to pin a medal on you for helping them mess up discipline for us.

    Permalink to quote #8

Related quotes

  1. Don't fight a battle if you don't gain anything by winning.

    Erwin RommelErwin Rommel quote #8
  2. If Paulus's army had capitulated before the end, the Russians would have had the advantage of withdrawing forces against Paulus and against the southern front,…

    Erich von MansteinErich von Manstein quote #1
  3. Upon this, one has to remark that men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones …

    Niccolo MachiavelliNiccolo Machiavelli quote #1