|
|
|
|
|
|
|
And therefore the general who understands war is the controller of his people's fate and the guarantor of the security of the nation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thousands of years ago, one of Sun Tzu's commentators, Ho Y en-hsi, wrote, "The difficulties in the appointment of a commander are the same today as they were in ancient times"
5and that was said during what we consider ancient times. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Napoleon in his maxims said, "It is exceptional and difficult to find in one man all the qualities necessary for a great general. That which is most desirable, and which instantly sets a man apart, is that his intelligence or talent are balanced by his character or courage. If his courage is the greater, the general heedlessly undertakes things beyond his ability. If, on the contrary, his character or courage is less than his intelligence, he does not dare carry out his plans." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mao Tse-tung wrote, "In actual life we cannot ask for an invincible general; there have been few such generals since ancient times. We ask for a general who is both brave and wise; who usually wins battles in the course of wara general who combines wisdom with courage." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Military writers generally agree that the ideal leader is a task specialist with an equal flair for the human aspects of leadership. In On the Psychology of Military Incompetence, Dixon points out that humanitarianism is a prerequisite for high morale and physical health. |
|
|
|
|
|