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B. H. Liddell Hart

B. H. Liddell Hart Quotes

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Famous B. H. Liddell Hart Quotes

“For if we merely take what obviously appears the line of least resistance, its obviousness will appeal to the opponent also; and this line may no longer be that of least resistance. In studying the physical aspect, we must never lose sight of the psychological, and only when both are combined is the strategy truly an indirect approach, calculated to dislocate the opponent's balance.”

IfsMayLosesLinesStudyMilitaryBalanceApproachAspectSightStrategyResistancePsychologicalAppealsOpponentsIndirectObviousness
Author:B. H. Liddell Hart
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“Air forces offered the possibility of striking a the enemy's economic and moral centres without having first to achieve 'the destruction of the enemy's main forces on the battlefield'. Air-power might attain a direct end by indirect means - hopping over opposition instead of overthrowing it.”

FirstsMeanEndsMightForceMoralEnemyAirEconomicAchieveMilitaryPossibilityDirectDestructionOppositionCentreBattlefieldsAir ForceIndirectAir PowerHopping
Author:B. H. Liddell Hart
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“Opposition to the truth is inevitable, especially if it takes the form of a new idea, but the degree of resistance can be diminished- by giving thought not only to the aim but to the method of approach. Avoid a frontal attack on a long established position; instead, seek to turn it by flank movement, so that a more penetrable side is exposed to the thrust of truth. But, in any such indirect approach, take care not to diverge from the truth- for nothing is more fatal to its real advancement than to lapse into untruth.”

IfsGivingLongIdeasRealCareFormTurnsSidesMovementPositionTruth IsDegreesApproachAimMethodTake CareResistanceInevitableOppositionExposedNew IdeasAdvancementThrustIndirectUntruthLapses
Book:Why Don't We Learn from History?
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“The art of the indirect approach can only be mastered, and its full scope appreciated, by study of and reflection upon the whole history of war. But we can at least crystallize the lessons into two simple maxims- one negative, the other positive. The first is that, in face of the overwhelming evidence of history, no general is justified in launching his troops to a direct attack upon an enemy firmly in position. The second, that instead of seeking to upset the enemy's equilibrium by one's attack, it must be upset before a real attack is, or can be successfully launched”

FirstsArtTwoWarRealWholeFacesSimpleEnemyStudyPositionLessonsApproachReflectionEvidenceNegativeDirectSeekingUpsetOverwhelmingTroopsJustifiedMaximsAppreciatedScopeEquilibriumIndirectLaunching
Author:B. H. Liddell Hart
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“Direct experience is inherently too limited to form an adequate foundation either for theory or for application. At the best it produces an atmosphere that is of value in drying and hardening the structure of thought. The greater value of indirect experience lies in its greater variety and extent. History is universal experience, the experience not of another, but of many others under manifold conditions.”

FormLyingValuesGreaterConditionsProduceTheoryDirectUniversalFoundationStructureVarietyAtmosphereApplicationAdequateIndirectManifold
Book:Why Don't We Learn from History?
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