--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a…" description: "\"“On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be intrusted with so important a business as the conduct of a great army; but, having since seen ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/benjamin-franklin-65_great-army_on-the-whole-i-wonder-d-much-how-such-a_1163995.jpg" --- # On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be… ![“On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be intrusted with so important a business as the conduct of a great army; but, having since seen more of the great world, and the means of obtaining, and motives for giving places, my wonder is diminished.” quote by Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/benjamin-franklin-65_great-army_on-the-whole-i-wonder-d-much-how-such-a_1163995.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/benjamin-franklin-65_great-army_on-the-whole-i-wonder-d-much-how-such-a_1163995.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/134/benjamin-franklin-65_great-army_on-the-whole-i-wonder-d-much-how-such-a_1163995.jpg) > ““On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be intrusted with so important a business as the conduct of a great army; but, having since seen more of the great world, and the means of obtaining, and motives for giving places, my wonder is diminished.”” [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Questioning why a seemingly unqualified person leads a great army, suggesting that experience and insight shape leadership suitability. **In simple terms:** Wonder why someone unqualified leads a great army. Key Takeaway Seek insight before trust. Themes leadership trust qualification Mood analytical inquisitive Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - military command - corporate management - political office Key Concepts Meritocracy authority Questions to Reflect On - What qualities truly qualify a leader? - How does experience influence trust? A Different Perspective Leadership may be based on perception, not competence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Came Intrusted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/came-intrusted-3344219/) [Great army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/great-army/) [Intrusted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intrusted-2983740/) [Intrusted Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intrusted-important-3344218/) [Wonder Diminished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder-diminished-3344217/) ## Related quotes > [Every one should consider himself as intrusted not only with his own conduct, but with that of others; and as accountable, not only for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/every-one-should-consider-himself-as-intrusted-not-only-with-his-own/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [I feel like God has intrusted a lot into me and I don't want to sit on it and be selfish. I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-kendrick/i-feel-like-god-has-intrusted-a-lot-into-me-and-i-don-t-want-to-sit/) [Stephen Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-kendrick/) > [We must regard all matter as an intrusted secret which we believe the person concerned would wish to be considered as such. Nay, further…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-hunt/we-must-regard-all-matter-as-an-intrusted-secret-which-we-believe-the/) [Leigh Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-hunt/) > [The very existence of armaments and great armies psychologically accustoms us to accept the philosophy of militarism. They inevitably increase fear and hate in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-thomas/the-very-existence-of-armaments-and-great-armies-psychologically/) [Norman Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-thomas/) > [Words are but the bannerets of a great army, a few bits of waving color here and there; thoughts are the main body of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/words-are-but-the-bannerets-of-a-great-army-a-few-bits-of-waving/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Each letter of the alphabet is a steadfast loyal soldier in a great army of words, sentences, paragraphs, and stories. 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Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-stalin-2/) > [Great armies are nothing but a collection of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-queen-of-sweden/great-armies-are-nothing-but-a-collection-of-weakness/) [Christina, Queen of Sweden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-queen-of-sweden/) > [War is not two great armies meeting in the clash and frenzy of battle. War is a boy being carried on a stretcher, looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-is-not-two-great-armies-meeting-in-the-clash-and-frenzy-of-battle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Lonely people have enthusiasms which cannot always be explained. When something strikes them as funny, the intensity and length of their laughter mirrors the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/lonely-people-have-enthusiasms-which-cannot-always-be-explained-when/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, in the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-parker/let-us-do-our-duty-in-our-shop-or-our-kitchen-in-the-market-the/) [Theodore Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-parker/) > [On the European Front the most important development of the past year has been the crushing offensive of the Great Armies of Russia...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/on-the-european-front-the-most-important-development-of-the-past-year/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More by Benjamin Franklin > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/give-me-26-lead-soldiers-and-i-will-conquer-the-world/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Flowers are the alphabet of angels, whereby they write on the hills and fields mysterious truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/flowers-are-the-alphabet-of-angels-whereby-they-write-on-the-hills/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-the-affairs-of-this-world-men-are-saved-not-by-faith-but-by-the/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [By heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/by-heaven-we-understand-a-state-of-happiness-infinite-in-degree-and/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [I have thought that wild flowers might be the alphabet of angels, — whereby they write on hills and fields mysterious truths, which it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/i-have-thought-that-wild-flowers-might-be-the-alphabet-of-angels/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/how-do-you-become-better-tomorrow-by-improving-yourself-the-world-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Little leaks sink the ship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/little-leaks-sink-the-ship/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/who-is-rich-he-that-is-content-who-is-that-nobody/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“But on the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/but-on-the-whole-though-i-never-arrived-at-the-perfection-i-had-been/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/the-good-particular-men-may-do-separately-in-relieving-the-sick-is/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/love-your-neighbour-yet-don-t-pull-down-your-hedge/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/take-counsel-in-wine-but-resolve-afterwards-in-water/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [He that's secure is not safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/he-that-s-secure-is-not-safe/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) [Explore all 1,692 Benjamin Franklin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) ## More Great army quotes > [On the European Front the most important development of the past year has been the crushing offensive of the Great Armies of Russia...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/on-the-european-front-the-most-important-development-of-the-past-year/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, in the market, the street, the office, the school, the home, just as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-parker/let-us-do-our-duty-in-our-shop-or-our-kitchen-in-the-market-the/) [Theodore Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-parker/) > [Lonely people have enthusiasms which cannot always be explained. When something strikes them as funny, the intensity and length of their laughter mirrors the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-helprin/lonely-people-have-enthusiasms-which-cannot-always-be-explained-when/) [Mark Helprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-helprin/) > [War is not two great armies meeting in the clash and frenzy of battle. War is a boy being carried on a stretcher, looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/war-is-not-two-great-armies-meeting-in-the-clash-and-frenzy-of-battle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Great armies are nothing but a collection of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-queen-of-sweden/great-armies-are-nothing-but-a-collection-of-weakness/) [Christina, Queen of Sweden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-queen-of-sweden/) > [ ...a great army of the proletarian party \[must be\] prepared to smash the reactionary forces and to clear the way for the advanced forces… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-stalin-2/a-great-army-of-the-proletarian-party-must-be-prepared-to-smash-the/) [J. Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-stalin-2/) > [Thus thought I, as by night I read Of the great army of the dead, The trenches cold and damp, The starved and frozen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/thus-thought-i-as-by-night-i-read-of-the-great-army-of-the-dead-the/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [As long as this great army of workers is scattered among so many craft unions, it will be impossible for them to unite and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/as-long-as-this-great-army-of-workers-is-scattered-among-so-many/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [“Knowledge is like the great army that will help us crush the forces of our own faults.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama-xiv-the-way-to-freedom/knowledge-is-like-the-great-army-that-will-help-us-crush-the-forces/) [Dalai Lama XIV The way to freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama-xiv-the-way-to-freedom/) > [Each letter of the alphabet is a steadfast loyal soldier in a great army of words, sentences, paragraphs, and stories. One letter falls, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/each-letter-of-the-alphabet-is-a-steadfast-loyal-soldier-in-a-great/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [Words are but the bannerets of a great army, a few bits of waving color here and there; thoughts are the main body of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/words-are-but-the-bannerets-of-a-great-army-a-few-bits-of-waving/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The very existence of armaments and great armies psychologically accustoms us to accept the philosophy of militarism. 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