If one runs a war as a collection of duels or worse, a duel, he will lose.

Running a war as if it were a series of duels, or worse, a single duel, is a recipe for defeat. This misconception is not just a strategic error; it's a fundamental misunderstanding about conflict.

A duel is a contained event with defined rules and boundaries, often governed by a sense of honor and a clear endpoint. In contrast, war is an amorphous, ongoing struggle with shifting goals and unpredictable outcomes. It's not just about winning battles; it's about achieving broader objectives, often in a context where the 'rules' are constantly changing.

This distinction is crucial not only for military commanders but also in our personal conflicts. Treating every disagreement or conflict as a duel – a finite, rule-bound contest – can lead to disastrous misunderstandings. In reality, conflicts, like wars, are complex and often have far-reaching consequences.

Von Clausewitz famously wrote, 'War is nothing but a duel on a larger scale.' However, this simplification misses the complex, multi-layered reality of warfare. War, as Edward N. Luttwak in 'Strategy: The Logic of War and Peace' might argue, is a dynamic interplay of strategy and counter-strategy, where adaptability and understanding of the broader context are key. Similarly, Sun Tzu in 'The Art of War' emphasizes the importance of strategy, deception, and psychological warfare, far beyond the simplistic notion of a duel.

For instance, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with its deep historical roots and intricate socio-political dimensions, cannot be reduced to a series of duels. It's a multifaceted struggle where simplistic approaches are doomed to fail. Recognizing this complexity is the first step towards finding sustainable solutions.

In personal conflicts, too, this understanding is vital. A road rage incident, for example, is not a duel to be won but a situation to be managed with awareness of its potential escalation and long-term repercussions. It's about regulating our impulses and understanding the levels of violence appropriate to the situation.

In conclusion, war, in its truest sense, is not a series of duels. It's a complex, often protracted struggle with far-reaching implications. Understanding this difference is crucial for both military strategists and individuals navigating conflicts in their daily lives.