Army Quote by Stonewall Jackson
““War means fighting. The business of the soldier is to fight. Armies are not called out to dig trenches, to throw up breastworks, to live in camps, but to find the enemy and strike him; to invade his country, and do him all possible damage in the shortest possible time. This will involve great destruction of life and property while it lasts; but such a war will of necessity be of brief continuance, and so would be an economy of life and property in the end.””
About This Quote
Source Letter: 1862, Military Correspondence
War is a brief, destructive effort focused on decisive strikes, not prolonged siege, aiming for swift victory.
In simple terms: War should be quick, destructive, and focused on striking the enemy.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize decisive, efficient action in conflict.
Themes
war
strategy
economy of force
destruction
brevity
Mood
serious
grim
Type
strategic
historical
When to use this quote
- battlefield planning
- defense policy
- crisis management
- resource allocation
Key Concepts
military doctrine
total war
logistics
political objectives
Questions to Reflect On
- Is brevity always achievable in war?
- What ethical limits exist for destructive efficiency?
A Different Perspective
Brief wars can cause massive collateral damage.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
