In crises the most daring course is often the safest. The riskiest course in my experience is gradual escalation that the opponent matches step by step, inevitably reaching a higher level of violence and often an inextricable stalemate.
The key decision for a statesman is whether to commit his nation or not. There is no middle course. Once a great nation commits itself, it must prevail. It will acquire no kudos for translating its inner doubts into hesitation. However ambivalently it has arrived at the point of decision, it must pursue the...
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