--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In strategy the longest way round is…" description: "\"In strategy the longest way round is often the shortest way there- a direct approach to the object exhausts the attacker and hardens the resistance by ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/b-h-liddell-hart-9275_approach_in-strategy-the-longest-way-round-is-oft_3213339.jpg" --- # In strategy the longest way round is often the shortest… ![“In strategy the longest way round is often the shortest way there- a direct approach to the object exhausts the attacker and hardens the resistance by compression, whereas an indirect approach loosens the defender's hold by upsetting his balance.” quote by B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/b-h-liddell-hart-9275_approach_in-strategy-the-longest-way-round-is-oft_3213339.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/b-h-liddell-hart-9275_approach_in-strategy-the-longest-way-round-is-oft_3213339.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/79b/b-h-liddell-hart-9275_approach_in-strategy-the-longest-way-round-is-oft_3213339.jpg) > “In strategy the longest way round is often the shortest way there- a direct approach to the object exhausts the attacker and hardens the resistance by compression, whereas an indirect approach loosens the defender's hold by upsetting his balance.” [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Direct attacks exhaust the opponent but can harden resistance; indirect tactics disrupt balance and weaken defense. **In simple terms:** Direct is tiring; indirect is clever. Key Takeaway Use indirect methods to outmaneuver stronger foes. Themes strategy conflict psychology Mood analytical strategic Type tactical philosophical When to use this quote - business negotiations - sports competition - political campaigns - personal disputes Key Concepts military theory indirect action Questions to Reflect On - When is an indirect approach more effective? - What risks does a direct attack carry? A Different Perspective Indirect may be slower and risk misinterpretation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Approach Loosens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach-loosens-6011994/) [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Compression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compression/) [Defenders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defenders/) [Direct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) [Direct approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct-approach-47354/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Indirect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indirect/) [Indirect Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indirect-approach-1862124/) [Objects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objects/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resistance/) [Rounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rounds/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Strategy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy/) [Strategy Longest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strategy-longest-6011995/) [Upset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/upset/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [For if we merely take what obviously appears the line of least resistance, its obviousness will appeal to the opponent also; and this line…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/for-if-we-merely-take-what-obviously-appears-the-line-of-least/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [The theory of the indirect approach operates on the line of least expectation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-theory-of-the-indirect-approach-operates-on-the-line-of-least/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [The most effective indirect approach is one that lures or startles the opponent into a false move - so that, as in ju-jitsu, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-most-effective-indirect-approach-is-one-that-lures-or-startles/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-effect-to-be-sought-is-the-dislocation-of-the-opponent-s-mind-and/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection upon the whole history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-art-of-the-indirect-approach-can-only-be-mastered-and-its-full/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [This high proportion of history's decisive campaigns, the significance of which is enhanced by the comparative rarity of the direct approach, enforces the conclusion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/this-high-proportion-of-history-s-decisive-campaigns-the-significance/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [... the ordinary is simply the universal observed from the surface, that the direct approach to reality is not without, but within. Touch life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-glasgow/the-ordinary-is-simply-the-universal-observed-from-the-surface-that/) [Ellen Glasgow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-glasgow/) > [Significant progress in the solutions of technical problems is frequently made not by a direct approach, but by first setting a goal of high…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernst-stuhlinger/significant-progress-in-the-solutions-of-technical-problems-is/) [Ernst Stuhlinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernst-stuhlinger/) > [It fascinates me to analyze these things and, yes, to see layers in the texts and the building up of Biblical literature. I think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-moore-cross/it-fascinates-me-to-analyze-these-things-and-yes-to-see-layers-in-the/) [Frank Moore Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-moore-cross/) > [I don't like taking a sly picture on the side. I like the direct approach. 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It's much more valuable to them to have a leader who's absolutely clear and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-parcells/in-the-end-i-ve-found-people-like-the-direct-approach-it-s-much-more/) [Bill Parcells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-parcells/) > [Air forces offered the possibility of striking a the enemy's economic and moral centres without having first to achieve 'the destruction of the enemy's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/air-forces-offered-the-possibility-of-striking-a-the-enemy-s-economic/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [Direct experience is inherently too limited to form an adequate foundation either for theory or for application. At the best it produces an atmosphere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/direct-experience-is-inherently-too-limited-to-form-an-adequate/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) ## More by B. H. 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Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [While the nominal strength of a country is represented by its numbers and resources, this muscular development is dependent on the state of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/while-the-nominal-strength-of-a-country-is-represented-by-its-numbers/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [If we clear the air of the fog of catchwords which surround the conduct of war, and grasp that in the human will lies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/if-we-clear-the-air-of-the-fog-of-catchwords-which-surround-the/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [The unexpected cannot guarantee success, but it guarantees the best chance of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-unexpected-cannot-guarantee-success-but-it-guarantees-the-best/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [Guerrilla war is a kind of war waged by the few but dependent on the support of many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/guerrilla-war-is-a-kind-of-war-waged-by-the-few-but-dependent-on-the/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection upon the whole history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-art-of-the-indirect-approach-can-only-be-mastered-and-its-full/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [It is only to clear from history that states rarely keep faith with each other, save in so far (and so long) as their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/it-is-only-to-clear-from-history-that-states-rarely-keep-faith-with/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [The most dangerous error is failure to recognize our own tendency to error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-most-dangerous-error-is-failure-to-recognize-our-own-tendency-to/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/the-effect-to-be-sought-is-the-dislocation-of-the-opponent-s-mind-and/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) > [Helplessness induces hopelessness, and history attests that loss of hope and not loss of lives is what decides the issue of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-h-liddell-hart/helplessness-induces-hopelessness-and-history-attests-that-loss-of/) [B. H. Liddell Hart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) [Explore all 74 B. H. Liddell Hart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-h-liddell-hart/) ## More Approach quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [I'm in a business where there's complete anarchy. You can't control it - you can only react to it. The control that people traditionally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-sorrell/i-m-in-a-business-where-there-s-complete-anarchy-you-can-t-control-it/) [Martin Sorrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-sorrell/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. 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