Lanrezac made the difficult decision to order a general retreat, fully aware that this could tarnish his reputation as a leader. He anticipated being labeled a failure, yet he remained resolute in his belief that the situation was not hopeless. His assertion to an officer reflected his determination, suggesting that as long as the Fifth Army persevered, France's chances of survival were still intact.

This statement, while potentially shaped by hindsight, encapsulates the gravity of his circumstances and highlights the tendency for leaders to inspire and elevate their speech during critical times. The moment was undeniably significant, and such grandiloquent expressions are often a hallmark of historic military narratives, particularly in the French context.