Whenever America sends its citizens into harm's way, it must do so with eyes wide open.
Giap was a master of logistics, but his reputation rests on more than that. His victories were achieved by a patient strategy that he and Ho Chi Minh were convinced would succeed - an unwavering resolve to suffer immense casualties and the near total destruction of their country to defeat any adversary, no matter how powerful.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Giap's strategy highlights the importance of patience and resolve in achieving victory, even in the face of great loss.
John McCain's quote reflects on the strategic brilliance of General Giap during the Vietnam War, emphasizing that true strength lies not only in logistics but also in the ability to endure hardships and maintain a steadfast commitment to a long-term vision. Giap and Ho Chi Minh's willingness to suffer significant sacrifices for the greater goal of national independence speaks to human resilience and the depth of conviction in pursuit of one's objectives, illustrating that success often comes at a high price.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be shared during a leadership seminar to highlight the importance of long-term vision.
More from John Mccain
All quotes →For decades we have been living lives of abundance, with little regard for our natural resources or global health. But we are now facing hard choices in our energy policy. Future generations - my children and grandchildren, along with yours - will have to live with the decisions we make today. And so it is time for us to make some tough and - hopefully - smart choices regarding our energy use and production before it is too late.
We need a free press. We must have it. It's vital.
I appreciate our government's determination to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the Bytyqi brothers, which Serbia's Interior Minister has rightly called 'an exceptionally serious crime,' and hope the Serbian government's pledge of full cooperation... is matched by a final accounting of their murder.
What is most troubling about Mr. Putin's aggression in Crimea is that it reflects a growing disregard for America's credibility in the world. That has emboldened other aggressive actors - from Chinese nationalists to Al Qaeda terrorists and Iranian theocrats.
For Mr. Putin, vacillation invites aggression. His world is a brutish, cynical place, where power is worshiped, weakness is despised, and all rivalries are zero-sum.
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Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know more.
Every day the increasing weight of years admonishes me more and more, that the shade of retirement is as necessary to me as it will be welcome.
Meditation is the way in which we come to feel our basic inseparability from the whole universe, and what that requires is that we shut up.
Convince yourself that you are working in clay, not marble, on paper not eternal bronze: Let that first sentence be as stupid as it wishes.
Don't be afraid of mistakes - There are none.