Chiefs Quote by B. H. Liddell Hart
“In war the chief incalculable is the human will, which manifests itself in resistance, which in turn lies in the province of tactics. Strategy has not to overcome resistance, except from nature. Its purpose is to diminish the possibility of resistance, and it seeks to fulfil this purpose by exploiting the elements of movement and surprise.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Strategy: The Indirect Approach, B. H. Liddell Hart, 1947
Human will is the hardest factor to predict in war; strategy should aim to reduce resistance by using movement and surprise.
In simple terms: Human will resists; strategy uses surprise to limit it.
Key Takeaway
Use surprise and mobility to lower resistance.
Themes
war
strategy
human will
Mood
strategic
pragmatic
Type
military
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- conflict resolution
- leadership
- negotiation
- sports competition
Key Concepts
tactics
surprise
movement
resistance
nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How can leaders anticipate human will?
- When is surprise ineffective?
A Different Perspective
It may underestimate the role of morale and politics.
