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About this quote

What does it mean?
Truman describes war as reciprocal destruction and notes American willingness to use force to end conflicts quickly.
In plain terms
War is often about destroying each other to end it fast.
What can you take from it?
Ending conflict quickly allows a return to normal life.

Where it applies

  • military decisions
  • post-war recovery
  • political strategy

Putting it to work

  • prioritize ending conflicts
  • evaluate costs of war

Questions to consider

  • What defines a just end to conflict?
  • Is speed worth the cost?

Another view

The quote oversimplifies complex geopolitical motives into mutual destruction.

More from Harry S. Truman

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  2. When a High Explosive shell bursts in fifteen feet and does you no damage, you can bet your sweet life you bear a charmed life and no mistake. I didn't have se…

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  3. If we see that Germany is winning we ought to help Russia and if Russia is winning we ought to help Germany, and that way let them kill as many as possible, al…

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