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About this quote

What does it mean?
A nation needs constant conflict to keep its military effective.
In plain terms
Soldiers need war to stay ready.
What can you take from it?
War readiness requires active conflict.

Where it applies

  • defense policy
  • national security

Putting it to work

  • maintaining readiness
  • justifying budget

Questions to consider

  • Does war make nations stronger?
  • Is peace safer?

Another view

Peace time training can also maintain readiness.

More from Napoleon Bonaparte

  1. To have a right estimate of a man's character, we must see him in misfortune.

    Permalink to quote #188
  2. To seduce a wife from her husband, or a son from his father, are odious acts, unworthy of civilised nations.

    Permalink to quote #190
  3. To extraordinary circumstances we must apply extraordinary remedies.

    Permalink to quote #187

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