--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Four generals Set our for Iran. With the…" description: "\"“Four generals Set our for Iran. With the first one, war did not agree. The second never won a victory. For the third the weather never was right. For ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/bertolt-brecht-1065_single-man_four-generals-set-our-for-iran-with-the_2178641.jpg" --- # Four generals Set our for Iran. With the first one, war… ![“Four generals Set our for Iran. With the first one, war did not agree. The second never won a victory. For the third the weather never was right. For the fourth the men would never fight. Four generals And not a single man!” quote by Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/bertolt-brecht-1065_single-man_four-generals-set-our-for-iran-with-the_2178641.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/bertolt-brecht-1065_single-man_four-generals-set-our-for-iran-with-the_2178641.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/bertolt-brecht-1065_single-man_four-generals-set-our-for-iran-with-the_2178641.jpg) > ““Four generals Set our for Iran. With the first one, war did not agree. The second never won a victory. For the third the weather never was right. For the fourth the men would never fight. Four generals And not a single man!”” [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeated failures of leaders highlight the futility of war and the power of collective in. **In simple terms:** Leaders fail, war is futile, people matter. Key Takeaway Question authority and value collective action. Themes war leadership collective power Mood critical skeptical Type political satirical When to use this quote - military planning - political campaigns - social movements Key Concepts political satire historical allegory Questions to Reflect On - What makes a leader effective? - How can societies prevent repeated failures? A Different Perspective Simplistic view ignores complex geopolitical factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fight Generals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fight-generals-4697042/) [Fourth Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fourth-men-4697043/) [Generals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generals/) [Generals Set](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generals-set-4697041/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Set Iran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/set-iran-4697044/) [Single man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/single-man/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Only bad generals need heroes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/only-bad-generals-need-heroes/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“Such a lot is won when even a single man gets to his feet and says No”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/such-a-lot-is-won-when-even-a-single-man-gets-to-his-feet-and-says-no/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“Hullo, commandant,' I said, 'how's the General?' 'Which general?' he asked with a shy grin. 'Surely in the Caodaist faith,' I said, 'all generals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/hullo-commandant-i-said-how-s-the-general-which-general-he-asked-with/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [It is tragic that the Fuehrer should have the whole nation behind him with the single exception of the Army generals. In my opinion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-jodl/it-is-tragic-that-the-fuehrer-should-have-the-whole-nation-behind-him/) [Alfred Jodl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-jodl/) > [ One of the things I would immediately do \[as Commander in Chief \], in addition to defeating them here at home, is bring back… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/one-of-the-things-i-would-immediately-do-as-commander-in-chief-in/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [A defensive war is apt to betray us into too frequent detachment. Those generals who have had but little experience attempt to protect every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-ii-holy-roman-emperor/a-defensive-war-is-apt-to-betray-us-into-too-frequent-detachment/) [Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-ii-holy-roman-emperor/) > [Around the world, the generals are being ousted, and the poets are taking charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/around-the-world-the-generals-are-being-ousted-and-the-poets-are/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [All through history it's the nations that have given most to generals and the least to the people that have been the first to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/all-through-history-it-s-the-nations-that-have-given-most-to-generals/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [“There had been reports in recent days that Trump wanted a general to manage his office; generals appeal to him, perhaps because he believes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-davidson-sorkin/there-had-been-reports-in-recent-days-that-trump-wanted-a-general-to/) [Amy Davidson Sorkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-davidson-sorkin/) > [As the First World War made painfully clear, when politicians and generals lead nations into war, they almost invariably assume swift victory, and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hochschild/as-the-first-world-war-made-painfully-clear-when-politicians-and/) [Adam Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hochschild/) > [Generals who can write always make me nervous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bradlee/generals-who-can-write-always-make-me-nervous/) [Ben Bradlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bradlee/) > [“McClellan knew that Jackson’s force was relatively small, so he only sent 16,000 men under the command of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/mcclellan-knew-that-jackson-s-force-was-relatively-small-so-he-only/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Trump has claimed he knows more about ISIS than America's leading generals. Clearly, this is also total nonsense; he doesn't seem to have done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/trump-has-claimed-he-knows-more-about-isis-than-america-s-leading/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [We had generals who were admirals and admirals who wanted to be generals. Generals acting as admirals are bad enough, but it was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holland-smith/we-had-generals-who-were-admirals-and-admirals-who-wanted-to-be/) [Holland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holland-smith/) > [Successful generals make plans to fit circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/successful-generals-make-plans-to-fit-circumstances-but-do-not-try-to/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) ## More by Bertolt Brecht > [Their peace and their war Are like wind and storm. War grows from their peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/their-peace-and-their-war-are-like-wind-and-storm-war-grows-from/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Boy Meets Girl, So What?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/boy-meets-girl-so-what/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Some party hack decreed that the people had lost the government's confidence and could only regain it with redoubled effort. If that is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/some-party-hack-decreed-that-the-people-had-lost-the-government-s/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/art-is-not-a-mirror-held-up-to-reality-but-a-hammer-with-which-to/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [People remain what they are even if their faces fall apart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/people-remain-what-they-are-even-if-their-faces-fall-apart/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Go make yourself a plan And be a shining light. Then make yourself a second plan, For neither will come right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/go-make-yourself-a-plan-and-be-a-shining-light-then-make-yourself-a/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Fearful is the seductive power of goodness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/fearful-is-the-seductive-power-of-goodness/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Hungry man, reach for the book: it is a weapon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/hungry-man-reach-for-the-book-it-is-a-weapon/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [There are some with brains and some without. It makes for a better division of labour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/there-are-some-with-brains-and-some-without-it-makes-for-a-better/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“When the sharks the sharks devour Little fishes have their hour.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/when-the-sharks-the-sharks-devour-little-fishes-have-their-hour/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“In my poetry a rhyme Would seem to me almost insolent. Inside me contend Delight at the apple tree in blossom And horror at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/in-my-poetry-a-rhyme-would-seem-to-me-almost-insolent-inside-me/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [“The law was made for one thing alone,for the exploitation of those who don't understand it, or are prevented by naked misery from obeying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/the-law-was-made-for-one-thing-alone-for-the-exploitation-of-those/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [From the start it has been the theatre's business to entertain people ... it needs no other passport than fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/from-the-start-it-has-been-the-theatre-s-business-to-entertain-people/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [Whenever there are great virtues, it's a sure sign something's wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/whenever-there-are-great-virtues-it-s-a-sure-sign-something-s-wrong/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) > [First feed the face, then talk right and wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertolt-brecht/first-feed-the-face-then-talk-right-and-wrong/) [Bertolt Brecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) [Explore all 260 Bertolt Brecht quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertolt-brecht/) ## More Generals quotes > [Successful generals make plans to fit circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/successful-generals-make-plans-to-fit-circumstances-but-do-not-try-to/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [We had generals who were admirals and admirals who wanted to be generals. Generals acting as admirals are bad enough, but it was the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holland-smith/we-had-generals-who-were-admirals-and-admirals-who-wanted-to-be/) [Holland Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holland-smith/) > [Trump has claimed he knows more about ISIS than America's leading generals. Clearly, this is also total nonsense; he doesn't seem to have done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bergen/trump-has-claimed-he-knows-more-about-isis-than-america-s-leading/) [Peter Bergen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bergen/) > [“McClellan knew that Jackson’s force was relatively small, so he only sent 16,000 men under the command of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-river-editors/mcclellan-knew-that-jackson-s-force-was-relatively-small-so-he-only/) [Charles River Editors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-river-editors/) > [Generals who can write always make me nervous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-bradlee/generals-who-can-write-always-make-me-nervous/) [Ben Bradlee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-bradlee/) > [As the First World War made painfully clear, when politicians and generals lead nations into war, they almost invariably assume swift victory, and have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-hochschild/as-the-first-world-war-made-painfully-clear-when-politicians-and/) [Adam Hochschild](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-hochschild/) > [“There had been reports in recent days that Trump wanted a general to manage his office; generals appeal to him, perhaps because he believes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-davidson-sorkin/there-had-been-reports-in-recent-days-that-trump-wanted-a-general-to/) [Amy Davidson Sorkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-davidson-sorkin/) > [All through history it's the nations that have given most to generals and the least to the people that have been the first to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/all-through-history-it-s-the-nations-that-have-given-most-to-generals/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [Around the world, the generals are being ousted, and the poets are taking charge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/around-the-world-the-generals-are-being-ousted-and-the-poets-are/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [A defensive war is apt to betray us into too frequent detachment. Those generals who have had but little experience attempt to protect every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-ii-holy-roman-emperor/a-defensive-war-is-apt-to-betray-us-into-too-frequent-detachment/) [Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-ii-holy-roman-emperor/) > [ One of the things I would immediately do \[as Commander in Chief \], in addition to defeating them here at home, is bring back… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/one-of-the-things-i-would-immediately-do-as-commander-in-chief-in/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [It is tragic that the Fuehrer should have the whole nation behind him with the single exception of the Army generals. In my opinion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-jodl/it-is-tragic-that-the-fuehrer-should-have-the-whole-nation-behind-him/) [Alfred Jodl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-jodl/) > [“Hullo, commandant,' I said, 'how's the General?' 'Which general?' he asked with a shy grin. 'Surely in the Caodaist faith,' I said, 'all generals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graham-greene/hullo-commandant-i-said-how-s-the-general-which-general-he-asked-with/) [Graham Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graham-greene/) > [Great captains of industry are as rare as great generals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-graham-sumner/great-captains-of-industry-are-as-rare-as-great-generals/) [William Graham Sumner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-graham-sumner/) > [Generals are not to be too scrupulous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/generals-are-not-to-be-too-scrupulous/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) [Browse all 143 Generals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generals/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Four generals Set our for Iran. With the first one, war did not agree. 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