--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If men make war in slavish observance of…" description: "\"If men make war in slavish observance of rules, they will fail. No rules will apply to conditions of war as different as those which exist in Europe an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/ulysses-s-grant-1793_america_if-men-make-war-in-slavish-observance-of_3040172.jpg" --- # If men make war in slavish observance of rules, they will… ![“If men make war in slavish observance of rules, they will fail. No rules will apply to conditions of war as different as those which exist in Europe and America...War is progressive, because all the instruments and elements of war are progressive.” quote by Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/ulysses-s-grant-1793_america_if-men-make-war-in-slavish-observance-of_3040172.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/ulysses-s-grant-1793_america_if-men-make-war-in-slavish-observance-of_3040172.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6c1/ulysses-s-grant-1793_america_if-men-make-war-in-slavish-observance-of_3040172.jpg) > “If men make war in slavish observance of rules, they will fail. No rules will apply to conditions of war as different as those which exist in Europe and America...War is progressive, because all the instruments and elements of war are progressive.” [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War follows its own evolving logic, rendering traditional rules ineffective; progress in warfare is relentless. **In simple terms:** War changes rules; progress is constant. Key Takeaway Adapt strategies to evolving conflict realities. Themes war change progress Mood somber thoughtful Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - military planning - peace negotiations - historical analysis Key Concepts military strategy technological innovation ethical dilemmas Questions to Reflect On - How does war progress affect humanity? - Can war ever be just? A Different Perspective Progress in war can erode moral standards. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Civil war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-war/) [Elements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elements/) [Europe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe/) [Europe and america](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/europe-and-america/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [If men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/if-men-make-war-in-slavish-obedience-to-rules-they-will-fail/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [War is progressive because all instruments of war are progressive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/war-is-progressive-because-all-instruments-of-war-are-progressive/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I don't underrate the value of military knowledge, but if men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-don-t-underrate-the-value-of-military-knowledge-but-if-men-make-war/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [The Great War was a progressive revelation and disillusionment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-adams-cram/the-great-war-was-a-progressive-revelation-and-disillusionment/) [Ralph Adams Cram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-adams-cram/) > [Happiness: there are a series of rules, and if you fail to follow them, your conscious mind will refuse to accept the idea that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/happiness-there-are-a-series-of-rules-and-if-you-fail-to-follow-them/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [None of the problems that caused the crises in Europe and America have been resolved. 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Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The much talked of surrendering of Lee’s sword and my handing it back, this and much more that has been said about it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-much-talked-of-surrendering-of-lee-s-sword-and-my-handing-it-back/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“General Lee was dressed in a full uniform which was entirely new, and was wearing a sword of considerable value, very likely the sword…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/general-lee-was-dressed-in-a-full-uniform-which-was-entirely-new-and/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“The great bulk of the legal voters of the South were men who owned no slaves; their homes were generally in the hills and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/the-great-bulk-of-the-legal-voters-of-the-south-were-men-who-owned-no/) [Ulysses S. 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Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [It was my fortune, or misfortune, to be called to the office of Chief Executive without any previous political training.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/it-was-my-fortune-or-misfortune-to-be-called-to-the-office-of-chief/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [No other terms than unconditional and immediate surrender. I propose to move immediately upon your works.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/no-other-terms-than-unconditional-and-immediate-surrender-i-propose/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I would suggest the taxation of all property equally whether church or corporation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-would-suggest-the-taxation-of-all-property-equally-whether-church/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [I know only two tunes: one of them is 'Yankee Doodle,' and the other isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-know-only-two-tunes-one-of-them-is-yankee-doodle-and-the-other-isn-t/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [“I could have allowed myself more time. I have used my best efforts, with the aid of my eldest son, F. D. Grant, assisted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/i-could-have-allowed-myself-more-time-i-have-used-my-best-efforts/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) [Explore all 208 Ulysses S. Grant quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... 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