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About this quote

What does it mean?
Military defeat is inevitable so political survival becomes the only goal.
In plain terms
Since we cannot win the war, we must survive to save our country.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize survival when victory is impossible.

Where it applies

  • military command
  • crisis management
  • negotiation

Putting it to work

  • assess reality
  • shift goals
  • seek diplomacy

Questions to consider

  • When is holding out better than surrendering?

Another view

Surrender can sometimes lead to worse outcomes.

More from Gerd von Rundstedt

  1. The morale of the troops taking part was astonishingly high at the start of the offensive. They really believed victory was possible - unlike the higher comman…

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  2. It is madness to attempt to hold. In the first place the troops cannot do it and in the second place if they do not retreat they will be destroyed. I repeat th…

    Permalink to quote #3
  3. The vast-ness of Russia devours us.

    Permalink to quote #4

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