--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Troops would never be deficient in…" description: "\"Troops would never be deficient in courage, if they could only know how deficient in it their enemies were.\" — Duke of Wellington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96b/duke-of-wellington-11380_courage_troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-coura_2073773.jpg" --- # Troops would never be deficient in courage, if they could… ![“Troops would never be deficient in courage, if they could only know how deficient in it their enemies were.” quote by Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96b/duke-of-wellington-11380_courage_troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-coura_2073773.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96b/duke-of-wellington-11380_courage_troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-coura_2073773.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96b/duke-of-wellington-11380_courage_troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-coura_2073773.jpg) > “Troops would never be deficient in courage, if they could only know how deficient in it their enemies were.” [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding enemy weakness boosts morale and confidence, preventing fear of deficiency. **In simple terms:** Knowing enemy's lack of courage strengthens one's own. Key Takeaway Recognize and compare opponent's flaws to build confidence. Themes military psychology confidence Mood determined strategic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - battle planning - leadership training - team morale - confidence building Key Concepts strategic awareness comparative analysis Questions to Reflect On - How can you assess enemy strength without underestimating them? - What risks arise from focusing solely on opponent's deficiencies? A Different Perspective Overreliance on enemy weakness can breed complacency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Courage Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage-know-378813/) [Deficient Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deficient-courage-4016330/) [Deficient Enemies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deficient-enemies-4016332/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Know how](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-how/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) [Troops Deficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops-deficient-4016331/) ## Related quotes > [But courage in fighting is by no means the only form, nor perhaps even the most important. There is courage in facing poverty, courage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/but-courage-in-fighting-is-by-no-means-the-only-form-nor-perhaps-even/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“We cannot change our destiny, we just have to have the courage to know what it is, and accept it." - Cinderpelt”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/we-cannot-change-our-destiny-we-just-have-to-have-the-courage-to-know/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [It takes courage to know when you ought to be afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-michener/it-takes-courage-to-know-when-you-ought-to-be-afraid/) [James A. Michener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-michener/) > [Don't Seek An Answer If You Don't Have A Courage To Know And Strength To Accept It. 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To know that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-the-hardest-thing-of-all-the-one-thing-that-will-show-if-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To understand courage, one must know its opposite, conformity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattox/to-understand-courage-one-must-know-its-opposite-conformity/) [Jim Mattox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattox/) > [Success takes the courage to know who you really are and be comfortable with that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-gumbel/success-takes-the-courage-to-know-who-you-really-are-and-be/) [Bryant Gumbel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-gumbel/) > [That's what courage is you know: being afraid and doing what you have to do anyway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasinda-wilder/that-s-what-courage-is-you-know-being-afraid-and-doing-what-you-have/) [Jasinda Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasinda-wilder/) > [Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harper-lee/real-courage-is-when-you-know-you-re-licked-before-you-begin-but-you/) [Harper Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harper-lee/) ## More by Duke of Wellington > [Extra interest signifies extra risk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/extra-interest-signifies-extra-risk/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [Victory is the ability to fight five minutes longer than any other army in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/victory-is-the-ability-to-fight-five-minutes-longer-than-any-other/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [I acknowledge that I should not like to see again such loss as I sustained on the 23rd September, even if attended by such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/i-acknowledge-that-i-should-not-like-to-see-again-such-loss-as-i/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [Yes, about ten minutes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/yes-about-ten-minutes/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [Rashness is oftener the resort of cowardice than of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/rashness-is-oftener-the-resort-of-cowardice-than-of-courage/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [When other Generals make mistakes their armies are beaten; when I get into a hole, my men pull me out of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/when-other-generals-make-mistakes-their-armies-are-beaten-when-i-get/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [When one begins to turn in bed, it is time to get up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/when-one-begins-to-turn-in-bed-it-is-time-to-get-up/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [I never saw so many shocking bad hats in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/i-never-saw-so-many-shocking-bad-hats-in-my-life/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [God deliver me from my friends! I'll take care of my enemies myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/god-deliver-me-from-my-friends-i-ll-take-care-of-my-enemies-myself/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [As Lord Chesterfield said of the generals of his day, 'I only hope that when the enemy reads the list of their names, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/as-lord-chesterfield-said-of-the-generals-of-his-day-i-only-hope-that/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [The whole art of war consists in getting at what is on the other side of the hill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/the-whole-art-of-war-consists-in-getting-at-what-is-on-the-other-side/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [There is no mistake; there has been no mistake; and there shall be no mistake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/there-is-no-mistake-there-has-been-no-mistake-and-there-shall-be-no/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [Always get over heavy ground as lightly as you can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/always-get-over-heavy-ground-as-lightly-as-you-can/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [Hard pounding, gentlemen. Let's see who pounds the longest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/hard-pounding-gentlemen-let-s-see-who-pounds-the-longest/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) > [During the Peninsula War, I heard a Portuguese general address his troops before a battle with the words, "Remember men, you are Portuguese!"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/during-the-peninsula-war-i-heard-a-portuguese-general-address-his/) [Duke of Wellington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) [Explore all 60 Duke of Wellington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/) ## More Courage quotes > [The greatest act of courage is to be and to ownall of who you are—without apology, without excuses, without masks to cover the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-ford/the-greatest-act-of-courage-is-to-be-and-to-ownall-of-who-you-are/) [Debbie Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-ford/) > [“It takes tremendous courage, persistence, and perseverance to pursue your ultimate purpose.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/it-takes-tremendous-courage-persistence-and-perseverance-to-pursue/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) [James T. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-conway/) > [Courage: the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can't practice any other virtue consistently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/courage-the-most-important-of-all-the-virtues-because-without-courage/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [“Tranquillity is courage in repose. It is a statical manifestation of valor, as daring deeds are a dynamical. A truly brave man is ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/inazo-nitobe/tranquillity-is-courage-in-repose-it-is-a-statical-manifestation-of/) [Inazo Nitobe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/inazo-nitobe/) > [When you heed the calling of your heart, you are following your purpose. Having purpose in your life gives you the courage to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-britten/when-you-heed-the-calling-of-your-heart-you-are-following-your/) [Rhonda Britten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-britten/) > [“Of all the train, none escaped except Wamba, who showed upon the occasion much more courage than those who pretended to greater sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-scott/of-all-the-train-none-escaped-except-wamba-who-showed-upon-the/) [Walter Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-scott/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Have the courage to go against the tide of current values that do not conform to the path of Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/have-the-courage-to-go-against-the-tide-of-current-values-that-do-not/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [“There is nothing purer, braver, or more beautiful than the try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-armstrong/there-is-nothing-purer-braver-or-more-beautiful-than-the-try/) [Kristen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-armstrong/) > [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/) [Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/) > [It is a tragedy that we live in a world where physical courage is so common, and moral courage is so rare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-monet/it-is-a-tragedy-that-we-live-in-a-world-where-physical-courage-is-so/) [Claude Monet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-monet/) > [I have pictures with Morimoto where I'm all embarrassed and he's so serious, it took me 30 minutes to get up the courage to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcela-valladolid/i-have-pictures-with-morimoto-where-i-m-all-embarrassed-and-he-s-so/) [Marcela Valladolid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcela-valladolid/) [Browse all 14,559 Courage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Troops would never be deficient in courage, if they could only know how deficient in it their enemies were.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Duke of Wellington" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-courage-if-they-could-only-know/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Courage" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-courage-if-they-could-only-know/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96b/duke-of-wellington-11380_courage_troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-coura_2073773.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96b/duke-of-wellington-11380_courage_troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-coura_2073773.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96b/duke-of-wellington-11380_courage_troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-coura_2073773.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Troops would never be deficient in courage, if they could only know how deficient in it their enemies were.” — Duke of Wellington", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Duke of Wellington", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/duke-of-wellington/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Troops would never be deficient in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-courage-if-they-could-only-know/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/duke-of-wellington/troops-would-never-be-deficient-in-courage-if-they-could-only-know/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```