Our life here is truly hellish. Fortunately, my soldiers are very brave and tougher than the enemy. What is more, their private beliefs make it easier to carry out orders which send them to their death. They see only two supernatural outcomes: victory for the faith or martyrdom. Do you know what the second means? It is to go straight to heaven. There, the houris, God's most beautiful women, will meet them and will satisfy their desires for all eternity. What great happiness!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- He describes soldiers' belief in heavenly reward as motivation, using religious imagery to glorify death.
- In plain terms
- He says soldiers fight for heaven and divine rewards.
- What can you take from it?
- Leverage faith to inspire troops.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How effective is religious promise in sustaining morale?
- What are the risks of using such rhetoric?
Another view
Relies on promise of afterlife, which may not be universally accepted.
More from Mustafa Kemal Ataturk
Men, I am not ordering you to attack. I am ordering you to die. In the time that it takes us to die, other forces and commanders can come and take our place.
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