--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As we have noted before, it may well be…" description: "\"“As we have noted before, it may well be necessary to defeat the enemy army. It may even be necessary to defeat it to the last remnant. But if we alway..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d9/j-c-wylie-16136_war_as-we-have-noted-before-it-may-well-be-n_2624375.jpg" --- # As we have noted before, it may well be necessary to… ![“As we have noted before, it may well be necessary to defeat the enemy army. It may even be necessary to defeat it to the last remnant. But if we always saddle ourselves with the self-imposed restriction that we must, no matter what, defeat the enemy army in combat, then we have indeed denied to…” quote by J.C. Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d9/j-c-wylie-16136_war_as-we-have-noted-before-it-may-well-be-n_2624375.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d9/j-c-wylie-16136_war_as-we-have-noted-before-it-may-well-be-n_2624375.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7d9/j-c-wylie-16136_war_as-we-have-noted-before-it-may-well-be-n_2624375.jpg) > ““As we have noted before, it may well be necessary to defeat the enemy army. It may even be necessary to defeat it to the last remnant. But if we always saddle ourselves with the self-imposed restriction that we must, no matter what, defeat the enemy army in combat, then we have indeed denied to ourselves consideration of a vast span of actions that might more readily and easily achieve the needed measure of control.”” [J.C. Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-wylie/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rigidly insisting on defeating an enemy militarily limits strategic options; flexibility can achieve control more efficiently. **In simple terms:** Never fixate on combat alone. Key Takeaway Consider alternative strategies. Themes military strategy flexibility conflict resolution decision making Mood analytical cautious Type strategic educational When to use this quote - diplomacy - economic sanctions - cyber operations - peace negotiations Key Concepts strategic restraint cost‑benefit analysis Questions to Reflect On - When is force unavoidable? - What non‑military tools are most effective? A Different Perspective May underestimate the need for decisive force. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Army Necessary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army-necessary-2136772/) [Combat Denied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat-denied-2136773/) [Defeat Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat-enemy-352887/) [Necessary Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/necessary-defeat-2136771/) [Self Imposed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-imposed/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The object of China's strategy is inexorably to supplant the United States as the world's premier economic power, and if necessary, to defeat us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gaffney/the-object-of-china-s-strategy-is-inexorably-to-supplant-the-united/) [Frank Gaffney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gaffney/) > [A standing army, however necessary it may be at some times, is always dangerous to the liberties of the people. 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