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About this quote

What does it mean?
Winning makes almost any action seem wise or justified to observers.
In plain terms
Winners decide what is right.
What can you take from it?
Success often hides poor choices.

Where it applies

  • war analysis
  • business success

Putting it to work

  • critique success
  • audit decisions

Questions to consider

  • Does the end justify the means?
  • How do we judge past leaders?

Another view

It suggests morality is entirely dependent on results.

More from Winston Churchill

  1. When I was younger I made it a rule never to take strong drink before lunch. It is now my rule never to do so before breakfast.

    Permalink to quote #197
  2. Why stand when you can sit?

    Permalink to quote #199
  3. When you have to kill a man it costs nothing to be polite.

    Permalink to quote #196

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