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About this quote

What does it mean?
Churchill states he would cooperate with the devil if it meant defeating Hitler.
In plain terms
He would work with anyone, even evil, to stop a greater evil.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize defeating greater threats over ideological purity.

Where it applies

  • crisis negotiations
  • political strategy

Putting it to work

  • form alliances with uneasy partners
  • prioritize outcomes

Questions to consider

  • When should we ally with flawed actors?
  • Is the end always worth the means?

Another view

It risks endorsing immoral partners without safeguards.

More from Winston Churchill

  1. Hitler is a monster of wickedness, insatiable in his lust for blood and plunder. Not content with having all Europe under his heel, or else terrorised into var…

    Permalink to quote #53
  2. We ask no favours of the enemy. We seek from them no compunction. On the contrary, if tonight our people were asked to cast their vote whether a convention sho…

    Permalink to quote #55
  3. The British nation is unique in this respect. They are the only people who like to be told how bad things are, who like to be told the worst.

    Permalink to quote #52

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