Good soldiers, bad officers; but remember that without them we wouldn't have civilization.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Rommel distinguishes between soldiers and officers but acknowledges the foundational role of soldiers in civilization.
- In plain terms
- Soldiers may be flawed but are essential for maintaining civilization.
- What can you take from it?
- Recognize the value of those who execute orders even if they lack rank.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a civilization possible?
- How do we value different roles?
Another view
The distinction between good soldiers and bad officers is overly simplistic.
More from Erwin Rommel
Gentlemen, you have fought like lions and been led by donkeys.
Permalink to quote #19 Dialogue with Italian general Barbasetti at Capuzzo. Barbassetti: 'it was very painful the sacrifice of the X Army Corps abandoned in the desert'; Rommel: 'is …
Permalink to quote #21 For me, soldiers are all equal. Those black people wore your same uniform, fought on your side, and so you will be in the same jail.
Permalink to quote #18
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