It is certainly of great importance for a general to keep…
“It is certainly of great importance for a general to keep his plans secret; and Frederick the Great was right when he said that if his night-cap knew what was in his head he would throw it into the fire. That kind of secrecy was practicable in Frederick's time when his whole army was kept closely about him; but when maneuvers of the vastness of Napoleon's are executed, and war is waged as in our day, what concert of action can be expected from generals who are utterly ignorant of what is going on around them?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Secrecy in military planning is outdated; modern large-scale warfare requires transparent communication for coordinated action.
In simple terms: Old secrecy tactics fail in modern warfare; openness needed.
Key Takeaway
Adopt transparent, collaborative planning in large operations.
Themes
military strategy
communication
modern warfare
leadership
Mood
critical
strategic
Type
military
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military drills
- joint exercises
- real-time intel sharing
Key Concepts
command structure
information flow
strategic coordination
Questions to Reflect On
- How to balance secrecy and transparency?
- What systems ensure effective information sharing?
A Different Perspective
Secrecy can protect sensitive data; balance is needed.