Generals aren't in the business of commenting on the correctness or incorrectness of the President's decisions. Anybody who thinks he should be able to do that ought to be fired on the spot.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
Moving into an unoccupied village when there's no opposition, I don't call that a military victory.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A true victory is earned through challenge, not through easy conquests.
This quote suggests that genuine victories in leadership and military are only significant when they are achieved against strong opposition. Merely taking control of an area without facing challenges or resistance does not constitute a real triumph, indicating that the value of success is often tied to the adversities faced and overcome during the pursuit.
Themes
VictoryLeadershipMilitaryOppositionChallenge
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech on military strategy, one might say this to emphasize the importance of overcoming challenges.
More from Norman Schwarzkopf
All quotes βAs far as Saddam Hussein being a great military strategist, he is neither a strategist, nor is he schooled in the operational arts, nor is he a tactician, nor is he a general, nor is he a soldier. Other than that, he's a great military man, I want you to know that.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
All you have to do is hold your first soldier who is dying in your arms, and have that terribly futile feeling that I can't do anything about it... Then you understand the horror of war.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
I am living proof that if you catch prostate cancer early, it can be reduced to a temporary inconvenience, and you can go back to a normal life.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
Good generalship is a realization that... you've got to try and figure out how to accomplish your mission with a minimum loss of human life.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
I'm not proud of killing, of being responsible for the death of a single person. I never will be.
Norman SchwarzkopfRead
Similar quotes
As a leader, you will never get ahead until your people are behind you.
John C. MaxwellRead
Whether we're Democrats, Republicans, or independents - it does not matter. We all understand that an attack on any one of us is an attack on all of us.
Michelle ObamaRead
You all know the reasons which have impelled me to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I have for twenty-five years tried to serve.
King Edward ViiiRead
I'm grateful for the opportunities God gave me to minister to people in high places; people in power have spiritual and personal needs like everyone else, and often they have no one to talk to.
Billy GrahamRead
Of all tasks of government the most basic is to protect its citizens against violence.
John Foster DullesRead
No matter what business you're in, everyone in the organisation needs to know why
Frances HesselbeinRead