Wikipedia tells us that a Pyhrric Victory is "a victory with such a devastating cost that it carries the implication that another such victory will ultimately lead to defeat. Someone who wins a "Pyrrhic victory" has been victorious in some way; however, the heavy toll negates any sense of achievement or profit."
The phrase derives from the story of King Pyhrris who, in a particular battle with the Romans, lost so many man that his victory ultimately spelled defeat. The Romans lost more men than did Pyhrris, but because they had a much larger supply of soldiers and weapons, Pyhrris' losses meant that he would be unable to fight another battle. The Romans had effectively won by making him unable to beat them again. The seeds of defeat were sowed in the way King Pyhrris fought and won his battle.
The human beings I interact with are not above fighting for such results, it seems.
Many building owners will nickel-and-dime their tenants over small chicken-poop issues in the hopes of saving a few bucks. By not replacing a broken door latch or a leaky shower-head, the owner in the long run buys him- or herself such bad will that managing the property and its now-rebellious tenants becomes a head-ache from start to finish. Poor building maintenance, if sustained, will cause tenant turn-over which leads to higher vacancy rates and lower-quality tenants. Both of these things are bad for business.
Tenants are also not immune from a drive for Phyrric Victory. How many times have I had a tenant be rude, unpleasant or uncooperative on a minor issue, only to need the plumber or the locksmith a few days later. Why bite the hand that feeds you?
When deciding whether to wage a particular war on an issue, I would like to send a message to the world that it makes sense to watch out for the seeds of Pyhrric Victory. This is true especially in dealings between people. Think how divorce lawyers end up walking away with a couple's savings, or how a business feud can result in one side "being right" while losing the good will necessary for continuing profitable relations with a client or partner.
My question, I suppose, to King Pyhrris if he were still among us would be: why? Knowing that the price of a victory is ultimately defeat, why fight in the first place? What use are the efforts and metaphorical lives lost, when the outcome is fairly clear from the start?
I wonder: would there be a case over which I would fight such a war knowingly?
Tonight's food for thought.
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