explain

Question

Don't burn the bridge in which you also must pass. I don't get it, could someone explain this to me?

Peter1107 · Accepted Answer

is this related with the saying "He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass."

AlpheccaStars · Answer

The maxim "Don't burn your bridges / boats" supposedly comes from military history.

The general had crossed his army across the river by a bridge (or boats.) and into enemy territory. The general was afraid that the men in his army would run back across the bridge and escape back home when the enemy attacked. So he ordered his men to burn the bridge. They would have to stand and fight, because there was no way to escape.

So if you "burn your bridges", you are destroying something (a relationship, an alternate strategy) so that you will not be able to use it in the future.
examples:

You act very badly in a situation that you are leaving, ensuring that you'll never be welcome to return. If you get mad and quit your job, you'll be burning your bridges behind you. No sense burning your bridges. Be polite and leave quietly.

You make decisions that cannot be changed in the future. If you drop out of school now, you'll be burning your bridges behind you.
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Now, if you burn the bridge in front of you, that means you are affecting your future opportunities in a bad way. That's even worse than burning a bridge you have already crossed.

Suppose you are in a job interview and you insult the company and its managers. You tell the interviewer how bad your experience was in dealing with this company. Do you think you will get the job?

Peter1107 · Answer

AlpheccaStarsThe maxim "Don't burn your bridges / boats" supposedly comes from military history.The general had crossed his army across the river by a bridge (or boats.) and into enemy territory. The general was afraid that the men in his army would run back across the bridge and escape back home when the enemy attacked. So he ordered his men to burn the bridge. They would have to stand and fight, because there was no way to escape.So if you "burn your bridges", you are destroying something (a relationship, an alternate strategy) so that you will not be able to use it in the future.examples:You act very badly in a situation that you are leaving, ensuring that you'll never be welcome to return. If you get mad and quit your job, you'll be burning your bridges behind you. No sense burning your bridges. Be polite and leave quietly.You make decisions that cannot be changed in the future. If you drop out of school now, you'll be burning your bridges behind you. ----------------Now, if you burn the bridge in front of you, that means you are affecting your future opportunities in a bad way. That's even worse than burning a bridge you have already crossed.Suppose you are in a job interview and you insult the company and its managers. You tell the interviewer how bad your experience was in dealing with this company. Do you think you will get the job?

Hi Alphecca Stars! Thank you for the explanation.

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