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A fief, the elder Hosokawa had advised, was like a castle…

“A fief, the elder Hosokawa had advised, was like a castle wall built of many rocks. A rock that could not be cut to fit in comfortably with the others would weaken the whole structure, even though the rock itself might be of admirable size and quality.” quote by Eiji Yoshikawa
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““A fief, the elder Hosokawa had advised, was like a castle wall built of many rocks. A rock that could not be cut to fit in comfortably with the others would weaken the whole structure, even though the rock itself might be of admirable size and quality.””

Eiji Yoshikawa

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A group’s strength depends on each member fitting well; a single mismatched piece can destabilize the whole.

In simple terms: Team fit matters.

Key Takeaway

Ensure each member aligns with the group’s purpose.

Themes

teamwork integration strength

Mood

analytical practical

Type

strategic instructive

When to use this quote

  • project teams
  • sports squads
  • family dynamics

Key Concepts

systems theory organizational behavior

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you identify and address mismatched elements?
  • When is it better to adapt the system rather than replace a member?
A Different Perspective

Rigid standards may exclude valuable diversity.

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