Quotes About Strategy

Her strategy for honoring the dead had always been to take action - solve the mystery, punish the criminal. But what did you do when there was no one to punish? When there were no answers to find? How do you assimilate that kind of loss without losing your mind?

From the earliest beginnings of Lyndon Johnson's political life—from his days at college when he had captured control of campus politics—his tactics had consistently revealed a pragmatism and a cynicism that had no discernible limits.

Quite obviously, since every practical politician knows that hate and fear offer more forceful tools for organizing than love and respect, Lyndon had a rather fertile field at San Marcos.…

Quietly, dispassionately, Russell would make sure the senator understood not only the reasons why he should take the same position on the bill that Russell was taking, but the reasons why he should take an opposing position.

Lyndon) Johnson created his own theater.

And, in fact, had Johnson's plan succeeded, in many ways it would indeed have been "just the way it was.

Emerging from the caucus, Johnson told reporters that he had no plans to release his delegates; "My name will stay as long as the American people are interested.

Pragmatism had shaded into the morality of the ballot box, a morality in which nothing matters but victory and any maneuver that leads to victory is justified—into a morality that is amorality.

strength with which President Kennedy dispatched his enemies"—a tribute couched in rather remarkable words: Johnson described Kennedy "when he looks you straight in the eye and puts that knife into you without flinching.

Rowe was later to hear Johnson recounting the conversation to Richard Russell. "He said, 'Well, you know, Dick, I was really making some progress with Adlai. I took my knife and held it right against him. All of a sudden I felt some steel in my ribs and I looked around and Finnegan had a knife in my ribs.' He laughed, and Russell said, 'Finnegan is a pro,' and that was it.

Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes. Keep this in mind; it may offer a way to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate — and quickly.

Remember though, your best weapon is between your ears and under your scalp -provided it's loaded.

Audacity, always audacity - soundest principal of strategy.

We learned not to waste ammo even on warriors except in self-protection

Getting a problem analyzed is two-thirds of solving it.

If you load a mud foot down with a lot of gadgets that he has to watch, somebody a lot more simply equipped—say with a stone ax—will sneak up and bash his head in while he is trying to read a vernier.

The fact that Ben retained Cavendish shows how seriously he took the matter; you don't hunt rabbits with an elephant gun.

Daddy says that, in a dilemma, it is helpful to change any variable, then reexamine the problem.

when you don't know what a man is getting at, let your counter-question shift the subject to something you do want to talk about. Then, no matter what he answers, make your point and call on someone else. Logic does not enter into it—just tactics.

My old man taught me two things: 'Mind own business' and 'Always cut cards'.

I don't gamble, if you will concede that poker is a game of skill.

There was a lot to be said for the job of assistant section leader—when you come right to it, it's a lot easier to die than it is to use your head.

Oh. I told you about that click. Daddy says that, in a dilemma, it is helpful to change any variable, then reexamine the problem. I tried to introduce a change with my bubble gum.

if you are ever suspected of something, try to make the evidence point to a lesser offense. Never try to prove lily-white innocence. Human nature being what it is, your chances are better.