--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Gendemen, I have resolved never to make…" description: "\"“Gendemen, I have resolved never to make an unjust war, but to end a just one only with the utter ruin of my enemies. I will attack the first to take t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/william-bolitho-13023_charles-xii_gendemen-i-have-resolved-never-to-make-a_2088773.jpg" --- # Gendemen, I have resolved never to make an unjust war, but… ![“Gendemen, I have resolved never to make an unjust war, but to end a just one only with the utter ruin of my enemies. I will attack the first to take the field, conquer him, and then deal with the others.”- Charles XII” quote by William Bolitho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/william-bolitho-13023_charles-xii_gendemen-i-have-resolved-never-to-make-a_2088773.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/william-bolitho-13023_charles-xii_gendemen-i-have-resolved-never-to-make-a_2088773.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/334/william-bolitho-13023_charles-xii_gendemen-i-have-resolved-never-to-make-a_2088773.jpg) > ““Gendemen, I have resolved never to make an unjust war, but to end a just one only with the utter ruin of my enemies. I will attack the first to take the field, conquer him, and then deal with the others.”- Charles XII”” [William Bolitho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bolitho/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He vows to avoid unjust wars, aiming only to destroy enemies in a war he deems just, attacking the first opponent decisively. **In simple terms:** He will fight only a war he sees as justified, crushing the first foe. Key Takeaway Choose battles wisely and act decisively. Themes war ethics strategy justice Mood determined serious Type strategic philosophical When to use this quote - declaring war - military planning - political decision making Key Concepts Just war theory military ethics deterrence Questions to Reflect On - What defines a “just” war? - How can leaders ensure wars remain just? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemies/) [Unjust war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unjust-war/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [ “\[Charles XII\] seldom took a more active part in the council than to cross his legs upon the table.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/charles-xii-seldom-took-a-more-active-part-in-the-council-than-to/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [“And so begins the strangest campaign in military history : a competent general and a seasoned army of eighty thousand men chased like deer,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bolitho/and-so-begins-the-strangest-campaign-in-military-history-a-competent/) [William Bolitho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bolitho/) > [“All these outposts were broken in,and that which in other histories would have counted as three victories did not delay the progress of Charles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bolitho/all-these-outposts-were-broken-in-and-that-which-in-other-histories/) [William Bolitho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bolitho/) > [“If he had wished, he could have annexed Denmark; and ended a thousand years of war and history. 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