Skip to content

Army Quote by Moshe Dayan

“We could not guard every water pipeline from being blown up and every tree from being uprooted. We could not prevent every murder of a worker in an orchard or a family in their beds. But it was in our power to set high price for our blood, a price too high for the Arab community, the Arab army, or…” quote by Moshe Dayan
Download Open image
“We could not guard every water pipeline from being blown up and every tree from being uprooted. We could not prevent every murder of a worker in an orchard or a family in their beds. But it was in our power to set high price for our blood, a price too high for the Arab community, the Arab army, or the Arab governments to think it worth paying... It was in our power to cause the Arab governments to renounce 'the policy of strength' toward Israel by turning it into a demonstration of weakness.”

Moshe Dayan

About This Quote

Source Speech: Knesset Address, 1973

Strategic pressure can force adversaries to reconsider costly policies, even if direct prevention is impossible.

In simple terms: Pressure can change enemy policies.

Key Takeaway

Apply economic pressure strategically.

Themes

strategy politics conflict economic leverage

Mood

cautious strategic

Type

political historical

When to use this quote

  • diplomacy
  • sanctions
  • military planning
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

Deterrence cost‑benefit analysis

Questions to Reflect On

  • What are ethical limits of economic pressure?
  • How to balance force and diplomacy?
A Different Perspective

Pressure may backfire if it harms civilians.

4.4 out of 5 (5 ratings)

More by Moshe Dayan

Explore all 50 Moshe Dayan quotes

More Army quotes

Browse all 3,919 Army quotes