Casualties Quote by Ferdinand Foch
“It take 15,000 casualties to train a major general.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: "On Training and Leadership", 1918
The statement suggests that massive loss of life is required to develop high‑level military leaders, implying a harsh cost of experience.
In simple terms: Training generals costs many lives.
Consider the human cost of leadership training.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- military education
- policy making
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Is it necessary to sacrifice lives for leadership?
- What alternatives exist for training leaders?
The view is morally troubling and historically specific.