---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What we can afford least is to define the…"
description: "\"What we can afford least is to define the problem of future war as we would like it to be and, by doing so, introduce into our defense vulnerabilities ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/h-r-mcmaster-16254_delusion_what-we-can-afford-least-is-to-define-th_1404495.png"
---

#  What we can afford least is to define the problem of…

![“What we can afford least is to define the problem of future war as we would like it to be and, by doing so, introduce into our defense vulnerabilities based on self-delusion.” quote by H. R. McMaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/h-r-mcmaster-16254_delusion_what-we-can-afford-least-is-to-define-th_1404495.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/h-r-mcmaster-16254_delusion_what-we-can-afford-least-is-to-define-th_1404495.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d30/h-r-mcmaster-16254_delusion_what-we-can-afford-least-is-to-define-th_1404495.png)

> “What we can afford least is to define the problem of future war as we would like it to be and, by doing so, introduce into our defense vulnerabilities based on self-delusion.”

[H. R. McMaster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-r-mcmaster/)

## About This Quote

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

Defining future war based on wishful thinking creates self‑deception and weakens defense planning.

**In simple terms:** Imagining war as we want it leads to vulnerable strategies.

Key Takeaway

Avoid wishful thinking in security planning.

Themes

security strategy future war self‑delusion

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

strategic critical

When to use this quote

- military planning
- policy making
- threat analysis
- defense budgeting

Key Concepts

risk assessment strategic foresight psychology

Questions to Reflect On

- How might your assumptions shape defense policy?
- What safeguards prevent self‑delusion?

A Different Perspective

Over‑optimism can blind planners to real threats.

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[Delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delusion/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future/) [Future War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/future-war-4191209/) [Introduce Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/introduce-defense-4931104/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem Future](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-future-735435/) [Self delusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-delusion/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

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