--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should ask our commanders...\" Elayne…" description: "\"We should ask our commanders...\" Elayne trailed off. \"If there are any we trust not to be under Compulsion.\" \"There's only one,\" Mat said grimly, meeti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/robert-jordan-438_compulsion_we-should-ask-our-commanders-elayne-trai_1346059.jpg" --- # We should ask our commanders..." Elayne trailed off. "If… ![“We should ask our commanders..." Elayne trailed off. "If there are any we trust not to be under Compulsion." "There's only one," Mat said grimly, meeting her eyes. "And he's telling you we are finished if we continue as we have. The earlier plan was a good enough one, but after what we lost…” quote by Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/robert-jordan-438_compulsion_we-should-ask-our-commanders-elayne-trai_1346059.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/robert-jordan-438_compulsion_we-should-ask-our-commanders-elayne-trai_1346059.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/robert-jordan-438_compulsion_we-should-ask-our-commanders-elayne-trai_1346059.jpg) > “We should ask our commanders..." Elayne trailed off. "If there are any we trust not to be under Compulsion." "There's only one," Mat said grimly, meeting her eyes. "And he's telling you we are finished if we continue as we have. The earlier plan was a good enough one, but after what we lost today...Elayne, we're dead unless we choose one place to stand, gather together, and fight." One last toss of the dice.” [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A leader must choose a decisive strategy and unite people when faced with overwhelming loss, otherwise defeat is inevitable. **In simple terms:** Choose a clear plan and rally together when hope seems lost. Key Takeaway Unite and act decisively. Themes leadership strategy unity survival Mood determined urgent Type inspirational strategic When to use this quote - military crisis - team collapse - personal loss - critical negotiations Key Concepts decision making collective action risk assessment Questions to Reflect On - What single action can turn a losing situation around? - How do you decide which path to commit to when options are dire? A Different Perspective Choosing a single plan may ignore alternative solutions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commanders/) [Compulsion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion/) [Dice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dice/) [Good enough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-enough/) [Meetings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meetings/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) ## Related quotes > [Time to toss the dice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/time-to-toss-the-dice/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [There is some delight in ale and wine And some in girls with ankles fine But my delight, yes always mine Is to dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/there-is-some-delight-in-ale-and-wine-and-some-in-girls-with-ankles/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [He doesn't know what to make of me," Mat said softly. 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Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/relax-lad-take-life-as-it-comes-run-when-you-have-to-fight-when-you/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“As she spoke, the dice started tumbling inside his head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/as-she-spoke-the-dice-started-tumbling-inside-his-head/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [There was a wild light in his eyes. "Bring your lightnings, Aes Sedai. I will dance with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/there-was-a-wild-light-in-his-eyes-bring-your-lightnings-aes-sedai-i/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [My mother always told me the best way to learn to deal with a man was to learn to ride a mule. 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Loial grimaced ruefully. "Life is very unsettling with ta'veren for friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/stay-and-get-married-or-travel-the-ways-loial-grimaced-ruefully-life/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Who would sup with the mighty must climb the path of daggers. -Anonymous notation found inked in the margin of a manuscript history (believed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/who-would-sup-with-the-mighty-must-climb-the-path-of-daggers/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Men always seem to refuse to admit they are sick until they're sick enough to make twice as much work for women. Then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/men-always-seem-to-refuse-to-admit-they-are-sick-until-they-re-sick/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Beauty holds more worth than gold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/beauty-holds-more-worth-than-gold/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [When the honey's out of the comb, there's no putting it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/when-the-honey-s-out-of-the-comb-there-s-no-putting-it-back/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [Death comes to us all; we can only choose how to face it when it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/death-comes-to-us-all-we-can-only-choose-how-to-face-it-when-it-comes/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [“Burn me," Mat said, throwing on the shirt he dug out of the bundle. 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