Quote by Leo Tolstoy

The best generals I have known were... stupid or absent-minded men. Not only does a good army commander not need any special qualities, on the contrary he needs the absence of the highest and best human attributes -- love, poetry, tenderness, and philosophic inquiring doubt. He should be limited, firmly convinced that what he is doing is very important (otherwise he will not have sufficient patience), and only then will he be a brave leader. God forbid that he should be humane, should love, or pity, or think of what is just and unjust.

The best generals I have known were... stupid or absent-mind

Summary

This quote suggests that the best generals do not possess qualities such as love, poetry, tenderness, and philosophical doubt. Rather, they should lack these attributes and be limited in their thinking, firmly convinced of the importance of their actions, and devoid of compassion or concern for justice. The quote argues that a successful army commander requires a singular focus, immense patience, and bravery, independent of moral considerations. It discourages empathy or personal introspection, positioning a rigid, single-minded determination as the essential trait of a leader.

Topics

Military

By Leo Tolstoy

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Women, as they grow older, rely more and more on cosmetics.

Women, as they grow older, rely more and more on cosmetics. Men, as they grow older, rely more and more on a sense of humor.

George Jean Nathan

Humor

Growing up my whole life, my mom was telling me how incredib

Growing up my whole life, my mom was telling me how incredible and special I was and that I was going to change the world. I think it's important for girls to know that they can change the world, that they do have an impact.

Mom

What I've learned is I want to enjoy my life, and food is a

What I've learned is I want to enjoy my life, and food is a big part of it.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Food

Friendships that have stood the test of time and chance are

Friendships that have stood the test of time and chance are surely best, Brows may wrinkle, hair grow gray, Friendship never knows decay.

Friends

We cannot have that relationship if we only dictate or threa

We cannot have that relationship if we only dictate or threaten and condemn those who disagree.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

Relationship

It is of the nature of war to increase the executive at the

It is of the nature of war to increase the executive at the expense of the legislative authority.

Alexander Hamilton, from No. 8,

Presidency

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

Outside show is a poor substitute for inner worth.

Appearance

There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above

There has to be evil so that good can prove its purity above it.

Good

We believe that to err is human. To blame it on someone else

We believe that to err is human. To blame it on someone else is politics.

Hubert H. Humphrey

Politics

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacr

A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.

Good Easter

no matter how ugly the world gets or how stupid it shows me

no matter how ugly the world gets or how stupid it shows me it is, I always have faith

Inspirational

Honesty, disinterestedness and good nature are indispensable

Honesty, disinterestedness and good nature are indispensable to procure the esteem and confidence of those with whom we live, and on whose esteem our happiness depends.

Thomas Jefferson

Confidence