Battle Quote by Terence MacSwiney
“In a physical contest on the field of battle it is allowable to use tactics and strategy, to retreat as well as advance, to have recourse to a ruse as well as open attack; but in matters of principle there can be no tactics, there is one straight forward course to follow and that course must be found and followed without swerving to the end.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address to the Irish Parliament, 1920
Principles demand unwavering commitment; tactics belong to conflict, not to core values.
In simple terms: Principles require straight, unchanging action.
Key Takeaway
Stay true to core values.
Themes
integrity
principles
commitment
leadership
Mood
determined
serious
Type
ethical
motivational
When to use this quote
- political decision‑making
- personal ethics
- organizational culture
- leadership challenges
Key Concepts
ethical steadfastness
moral clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance flexibility with core values?
- When might compromise be necessary?
A Different Perspective
Rigid adherence may ignore nuance in complex situations.
![“Without a goal [maneuvering is] aimless. You might be a master tactician, but you'll have no sense of strategy.” quote by Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/062/garry-kasparov-910_goal_without-a-goal-maneuvering-is-aimless-yo_2357409.jpg)
