Army Quote by B. H. Liddell Hart
“In a campaign against more than one state or army, it is more fruitful to concentrate first against the weaker partner than to attempt the overthrow of the stronger in the belief that the latter's defeat will automatically involve the collapse of the others.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Strategy, 1938
Advocates targeting the weaker opponent first in multi‑enemy conflicts, believing this destabilizes the stronger foe indirectly.
In simple terms: Attack the weaker side first.
Key Takeaway
Neutralize weaker forces early.
Themes
military strategy
political tactics
conflict resolution
Mood
strategic
pragmatic
Type
military
political
When to use this quote
- military campaigns
- political negotiations
- business competition
Key Concepts
divide and conquer
sequential targeting
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess opponent strength?
- What are the risks of focusing on the weaker side?
A Different Perspective
Risk of misjudging which opponent is truly weaker.
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