Approach Quote by B. H. Liddell Hart
“The effect to be sought is the dislocation of the opponent's mind and dispositions - such an effect is the true gauge of an indirect approach.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Strategy, 1967
The best indirect strategy disrupts the opponent's mind and habits, measuring success by mental dislocation.
In simple terms: Winning by confusing the enemy’s thinking.
Key Takeaway
Employ indirect tactics to unsettle rivals.
Themes
strategy
psychology
conflict
Mood
analytical
strategic
Type
military
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military planning
- business competition
- negotiation
Key Concepts
indirect warfare
cognitive disruption
Questions to Reflect On
- How can indirect tactics be used ethically?
- What are the limits of psychological warfare?
A Different Perspective
May be ethically questionable in manipulation.
![“[The] aim is not so much to seek battle as to seek a strategic situation so advantageous that if it does not of itself produce the decision, its continuation by a battle is sure to achieve this. In other words, dislocation is the aim of strategy.” quote by B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c94/b-h-liddell-hart-9275_achieve_the-aim-is-not-so-much-to-seek-battle-as_2777412.jpg)
![“[Heresy is] the dislocation of a complete and self-supporting scheme by the introduction of a novel denial of some essential part therein.” quote by Hilaire Belloc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/baa/hilaire-belloc-2294_denial_heresy-is-the-dislocation-of-a-complete_390089.jpg)
