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About this quote

What does it mean?
Churchill describes the aggressive nature of an enemy that either dominates or is completely subdued.
In plain terms
An enemy will either attack you or be defeated by you.
What can you take from it?
In conflict, neutrality is rare; forces tend to dominate or be dominated.

Where it applies

  • analyzing military strategy
  • discussing international relations
  • evaluating threats

Putting it to work

  • assessing geopolitical risk
  • planning defense
  • analyzing adversaries

Questions to consider

  • Can enemies coexist peacefully?
  • How do we respond to aggression?

Another view

This view simplifies complex international relations into binary opposition.

More from Winston Churchill

  1. The House of Commons has lifted our affairs above the mechanical sphere into the human sphere.

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  2. The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings; the inherent virtue of socialism is the equal sharing of misery.

    Permalink to quote #169
  3. The honourable gentleman should not really generate more indignation than he can conveniently contain.

    Permalink to quote #166

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