Literary notes about Defensive (AI summary)
The word "defensive" in literature has been used to convey both physical and metaphorical stances, reflecting a range of applications from military strategy to personal demeanor. In tactical and military texts, authors like Sunzi and Jomini employ the term to describe strategies and formations that emphasize protection and retreat when necessary, contrasting it with the offensive (e.g., [1], [2], [3], [4]). At the same time, in narrative literature and psychological discourse, "defensive" is used to illustrate characters’ cautious or guarded responses, whether it is D’Artagnan’s wary posture ([5]) or Miss Jenny’s instinctive reaction to being questioned ([6]). The term is also extended to describe physical equipment—such as armor designed for protection ([7], [8], [9])—as well as to indicate broader defensive policies and alliances during wars ([10], [11]). Together, these examples demonstrate that "defensive" functions as a versatile descriptor, capturing both material and abstract dimensions of protection and reticence across diverse literary genres.
- 5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.
— from The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi - The selection of the objective point, whether offensive or defensive.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - [Chang Yu said: "Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive."
— from The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi - Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.
— from The Art of War by active 6th century B.C. Sunzi - As to D’Artagnan, afraid of some feint, he still stood on the defensive.
— from Twenty years after by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - 'I am the dolls' dressmaker, sir.' 'Lizzie Hexam's friend?' 'Yes, sir,' replied Miss Jenny, instantly on the defensive. '
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens - Last defensive armament.
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - The cuirass is the best defensive armor.
— from The Art of War by baron de Antoine Henri Jomini - The jack was "a horseman's defensive upper garment, quilted and covered with strong leather" (Nares).
— from The Lady of the Lake by Walter Scott - —Alliance, offensive and defensive, between France and Spain.
— from Napoleon's Letters to Josephine, 1796-1812 by Emperor of the French Napoleon I - But the Americans and their abettors were not content with defensive law.
— from The Life of Horatio, Lord Nelson by Robert Southey