Right hand Quote by Bill O'Reilly
““Patton pulls his ivory-handled pistol from its holster with his right hand. With his left, he backhands Bennett across the face with such force that nearby doctors rush to intervene. The medical staff is disturbed by Patton’s actions and file a report. Word of the incidents soon reaches Eisenhower. “I must so seriously question,” Ike writes to Patton on August 16, “your good judgment and your self-discipline as to raise serious doubts in my mind as to your future usefulness.” But that is to be the end of it. Eisenhower needs Patton’s tactical genius. As Assistant Secretary of War John J. McCloy will later remind Ike, Abraham Lincoln was faced with similar concerns about the leadership of Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. “I can’t spare this man,” Lincoln had responded to those calling for Grant’s dismissal. “He fights.” Patton fights. *””
About This Quote
Source Book: Patton: A Genius for War by Carlo D'Este, 1995
Patton’s aggressive behavior raised doubts about his discipline, yet his battlefield skill made him indispensable, mirroring Lincoln’s decision to keep Grant despite flaws.
In simple terms: Patton was reckless but essential; Lincoln kept Grant for his fighting ability.
Key Takeaway
Value talent even when behavior is problematic.
Themes
leadership
discipline
talent management
Mood
tense
reflective
Type
historical
leadership
analytical
When to use this quote
- command decisions
- team selection
- crisis management
Key Concepts
military strategy
personal conduct
historical precedent
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance skill against character flaws?
- When should a leader be removed for behavior?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on talent can overlook serious misconduct.
![“Evil cannot be "treated" -- nor should it be. Evil has to [be] confronted and destroyed and it matters not why the evil is in play. Society has no obligation to try to rehabilitate evil.” quote by Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b89/bill-o-reilly-1019_destroyed_evil-cannot-be-treated-nor-should-it-be_3597.jpg)
