In Philip K. Dick's "Now Wait for Last Year", the narrative probes the significance of foresight in political leadership, emphasizing the necessity for strategists to consider their legacy and impact beyond their lifetime. The quote highlights the contrast between effective leaders, who plan for the future, and tyrants like Hitler, whose self-serving actions jeopardized their nation's future.
In essence, the text suggests that a true strategist understands the fragile nature of power and existence. By recognizing their own mortality, they are compelled to create a vision that ensures the wellbeing of their society long after they are gone, rather than indulging in shortsighted ambitions that could lead to destruction.