---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the enemy is driven back, we have…"
description: "\"When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he is cut off, encircled and dispersed, we have succeeded.\" — Alexander Suvorov"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75f/alexander-suvorov-23317_cutting_when-the-enemy-is-driven-back-we-have-fa_20185.png"
---

#  When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he…

![“When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he is cut off, encircled and dispersed, we have succeeded.” quote by Alexander Suvorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75f/alexander-suvorov-23317_cutting_when-the-enemy-is-driven-back-we-have-fa_20185.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75f/alexander-suvorov-23317_cutting_when-the-enemy-is-driven-back-we-have-fa_20185.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/75f/alexander-suvorov-23317_cutting_when-the-enemy-is-driven-back-we-have-fa_20185.png)

> “When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he is cut off, encircled and dispersed, we have succeeded.”

[Alexander Suvorov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-suvorov/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Success in warfare is measured by the complete destruction of the enemy’s forces, not merely by pushing them back.

**In simple terms:** Victory means annihilating the foe, not just repelling them.

Key Takeaway

Total defeat of the enemy is the true goal.

Themes

strategy military doctrine victory defeat tactics

Mood

determined assertive militant

Type

strategic historical military

When to use this quote

- battlefield command
- campaign planning
- military training
- historical war analysis

Key Concepts

enemy encirclement force dispersion combat outcomes

Practical Applications

- military strategy development
- leadership training

Questions to Reflect On

- What defines a decisive victory?
- How does total destruction affect future conflicts?

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[Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Success](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/success/) [Total war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/total-war/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

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