This quote suggests that in times of war, the truth is incredibly valuable, so much so that it must be protected by a layer of deception. This is a metaphorical way of saying that in order to protect the truth, and in turn, the interests of a nation during war, it may be necessary to use lies as a shield. The lies serve as a misdirection or a distraction to the enemy, ensuring that the real, truthful strategies or plans remain hidden and secure.

The concept of truth being guarded by lies reflects the complexity and difficulty of maintaining security and strategic advantage in wartime. It is a commentary on the harsh realities of warfare where honesty is not always the best policy and where deception can be a tool for survival and victory.

In today’s world, this idea can be applied in various fields such as politics, business, or even personal development. In politics, for instance, leaders often have to protect their strategies or plans from opponents by not revealing all their cards. In business, companies may withhold certain trade secrets or strategic plans from competitors to maintain an edge.

In terms of personal development, this quote can be interpreted as the need to sometimes protect our personal truths, values, or goals. This doesn’t mean lying about who we are, but rather not revealing everything about ourselves to everyone. Some personal truths are precious and revealing them to the wrong people might lead to misunderstanding, misuse, or harm. Therefore, it’s important to be discerning about what we share and with whom, essentially guarding our personal truth with a bodyguard of discretion.