Advantage Quote by Quintilian
“When we cannot hope to win, it is an advantage to yield.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Institutio Oratoria, Book 12, 1st century AD
When victory seems impossible, conceding can be a strategic advantage, preserving resources for future opportunities.
In simple terms: Yielding can be a smart tactic when defeat looms.
Key Takeaway
Know when to retreat strategically.
Themes
strategy
humility
resilience
Mood
thoughtful
strategic
calm
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- business competition
- sports strategy
- personal setbacks
Key Concepts
military tactics
political negotiation
Questions to Reflect On
- When is surrender the best option?
- How to recover after yielding?
A Different Perspective
Retreat may be misinterpreted as weakness.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
