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There's always a temptation, in the middle of a long struggle, to seek the quiet life, to escape the duties and problems of the world, and to hope the enemy grows weary of fanaticism and tired of murder. This would be a pleasant world, but it's not the world we live in. The enemy is never tired, never sated, never content with yesterday's brutality. This enemy considers every retreat of the civilized world as an invitation to greater violence.

George W. Bush#348

WarTerrorismResolveStruggle

About this quote

What does it mean?
Avoid seeking easy escapes from global struggles since enemies remain active.
In plain terms
Do not hope enemies get tired; fight continuously.
What can you take from it?
Stay committed to long struggles; expect persistent threats.

Where it applies

  • campaign addresses
  • policy speeches
  • military briefings

Putting it to work

  • maintaining vigilance
  • planning long-term
  • avoiding complacency

Questions to consider

  • How to fight endless struggles?
  • When does war end?

Another view

This view may justify endless conflict without clear exit strategies.

More from George W. Bush

  1. Any government that chooses to be an ally of terror has also chosen to be an enemy of civilization.

    Permalink to quote #347
  2. In Iraq, there is no peace without victory. We will keep our nerve and we will win that victory.

    Permalink to quote #349
  3. Because free peoples believe in the future, free peoples will own the future.

    Permalink to quote #346

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