It is my experience that bold decisions give the best…
![“It is my experience that bold decisions give the best promise of success. But one must differentiate between [strategic] and tactical boldness and a military gamble. A bold operation is one in which success is not a certainty but which in case of failure leaves one with sufficient forces in hand…” quote by Erwin Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/3e3/erwin-rommel-13336_courage_it-is-my-experience-that-bold-decisions_797546.jpg)
““It is my experience that bold decisions give the best promise of success. But one must differentiate between [strategic] and tactical boldness and a military gamble. A bold operation is one in which success is not a certainty but which in case of failure leaves one with sufficient forces in hand to cope with whatever situation may arise. A gamble, on the other hand, is an operation which can lead either to victory or to the complete destruction of one's force. Situations can arise where even gamble may be justified - as, for instance, when in the normal course of events defeat is merely a matter of time, when the gaining of time is therefore pointless and the only chance lies in an operation of great risk.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Bold decisions can lead to success, but must be distinguished from reckless gambles; strategic boldness retains strength after failure, while gambles risk total loss.
In simple terms: Strategic boldness keeps options open; gambles risk everything.
Key Takeaway
Choose calculated risk over reckless gamble.
Themes
strategy
risk management
leadership
military tactics
Mood
cautious
analytical
determined
Type
advice
strategic
military
When to use this quote
- battle planning
- business negotiations
- political campaigns
- emergency response
Key Concepts
strategic boldness
risk assessment
force preservation
Questions to Reflect On
- When is a high‑risk move justified?
- How do you ensure you can recover if it fails?
A Different Perspective
Boldness without a clear fallback can cause catastrophic loss.