Agreed. My main point was just that "doing whatever it takes" in this context does not mean sacrificing your values, because your values are definitely part of

Agreed. My main point was just that "doing whatever it takes" in this context does not mean sacrificing your values, because your values are definitely part of your original goals to begin with. If you value being flexible or adaptable, then you will certainly expand your goals and change things along the way. But the one thing that should never change is the vigor with which you pursue your goals (you should take breaks, rest, etc., but breaks and rest are arguably also just ways to optimize the pursuit of a goal). And I agree with you, Mao was quite evil, and it would require a very twisted set of goals to lead to the death toll of his regime.