Who said “The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.”?

Verified

George Orwell. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"Second Thoughts on James Burnham". Polemic, (May 1946)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "Second Thoughts on James Burnham". Polemic, (May 1946).

APA

Orwell, G. (n.d.). The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41760-the-quickest-way-of-ending-a-war-is/

MLA

Orwell, George. “The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41760-the-quickest-way-of-ending-a-war-is/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Orwell, George. “The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/41760-the-quickest-way-of-ending-a-war-is/.