Efficiency," of course, is futile … It has no philosophy…
““Efficiency," of course, is futile … It has no philosophy for incidents before they happen; therefore it has no power of choice. An act can only be successful or unsuccessful when it is over; if it is to begin, it must be, in the abstract, right or wrong. There is no such thing as backing a winner; for he cannot be a winner when he is backed. There is no such thing as fighting on the winning side; one fights to find out which is the winning side. If any operation has occurred, that operation was efficient… A man who thinks much about success must be the drowsiest sentimentalist; for he must be always looking back. If he only likes victory he must always come late for the battle. For the man of action there is nothing but idealism.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Efficiency without foresight lacks moral direction; true success depends on abstract judgment, not mere outcomes.
In simple terms: Efficiency alone isn’t enough; decisions must be right before they happen.
Key Takeaway
Focus on principled choices, not just results.
Themes
philosophy
decision-making
action
idealism
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- military planning
- personal goal setting
- creative projects
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
causality
strategic planning
Questions to Reflect On
- What principles guide your decisions before outcomes appear?
- How do you balance foresight with flexibility?
A Different Perspective
Efficiency can be misused if divorced from ethical context.