general quotes

A man should have dinner with his friends, and the commanding general has no friends.

- Curtis Emerson LeMay
On declining to dine with a group of colonels. Recalled on his death,1 Oct1990.

The dramatic critic who is without prejudice is on the plane with the general who does not believe in taking human life.

- GeorgeJean Nathan
Attributed.

In a civil war, a general must knowand I'm afraid it's a thing rather of instinct than of practicehe must know exactly when to move over to the other side.

- Henry Reed
  Not a DrumWas Heard:TheWar Memoirs of General Gland, unpublished radio play.

Avictoriousgeneral isabletomakehissoldiersfight with the effect of pent-up waters which, suddenly released, plunge into a bottomless abyss.

-SunTzu
c.500  BC  Art ofWar, ch.4 (translated byYuan Shibang,1987).

The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height.

-SunTzu
c.500  BC  Art ofWar, ch.10 (translated byYuan Shibang,1987).

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect the countryand do good service to his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

-SunTzu
c.500^320   BC  TheArt ofWar, ch.10,'Terrain', section 24 (translated byJames Clavell,1981).

For years I thought what was good for our country was good for General Motors, and vice versa. The difference did not exist.Our company is too big. It goes with the welfare of the country.

- Charles called 'Engine Charlie' Wilson
  Statement to US Senate, Committee on Armed Services, Jan.