--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The power to command has never meant the…" description: "\"The power to command has never meant the power to remain mysterious.\" — Ferdinand Foch" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/ferdinand-foch-17344_charisma_the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the_1199315.jpg" --- # The power to command has never meant the power to remain… ![“The power to command has never meant the power to remain mysterious.” quote by Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/ferdinand-foch-17344_charisma_the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the_1199315.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/ferdinand-foch-17344_charisma_the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the_1199315.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/ferdinand-foch-17344_charisma_the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the_1199315.jpg) > “The power to command has never meant the power to remain mysterious.” [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Authority does not guarantee mystery; true leadership requires transparency and understanding, not just power. **In simple terms:** Power isn’t the same as mystery. Key Takeaway Lead with clarity, not secrecy. Themes leadership authority transparency trust communication Mood cautious thoughtful analytical Type leadership philosophical When to use this quote - corporate management - political leadership - team dynamics Key Concepts military strategy psychology ethics influence responsibility Practical Applications - public speaking Questions to Reflect On - What are the risks of opaque leadership? - How can leaders balance authority with openness? A Different Perspective Power can be misused if leaders hide motives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Charisma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charisma/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) ## Related quotes > [“Get out of here, Antonia. Now.” There was no real force behind the command, as if only a part of him meant it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-laurens/get-out-of-here-antonia-now-there-was-no-real-force-behind-the/) [Stephanie Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-laurens/) > [Star power will always remain relevant but content has become the king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angad-bedi/star-power-will-always-remain-relevant-but-content-has-become-the-king/) [Angad Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angad-bedi/) > [Given Ivan's size and power, we must remain vigilant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-rogers/given-ivan-s-size-and-power-we-must-remain-vigilant/) [Mike Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-rogers/) > [How shall I be able to rule over others, that have not full power and command of myself?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/how-shall-i-be-able-to-rule-over-others-that-have-not-full-power-and/) [Francois Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/) > [All power is His and within His command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/all-power-is-his-and-within-his-command/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The power to command frequently causes failure to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-tuchman/the-power-to-command-frequently-causes-failure-to-think/) [Barbara Tuchman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-tuchman/) > [There'll always be a part of me that wants to remain mysterious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roisin-murphy/there-ll-always-be-a-part-of-me-that-wants-to-remain-mysterious/) [Roisin Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roisin-murphy/) > [I prefer to remain mysterious and have people MAKE their own judgment calls about me than to always have to EXPLAIN who I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/january-jones/i-prefer-to-remain-mysterious-and-have-people-make-their-own-judgment/) [January Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/january-jones/) > [To remain mysterious, say little and do nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/to-remain-mysterious-say-little-and-do-nothing/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [“I prefer to remain mysterious.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trenton-lee-stewart/i-prefer-to-remain-mysterious/) [Trenton Lee Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trenton-lee-stewart/) > [No one has more charisma than me in WWE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheamus/no-one-has-more-charisma-than-me-in-wwe/) [Sheamus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheamus/) > [“Building confidence is an ongoing process and something that can be accomplished over time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/building-confidence-is-an-ongoing-process-and-something-that-can-be/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Self-confident people face their fears head-on and are willing to take risks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/self-confident-people-face-their-fears-head-on-and-are-willing-to/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [Those who know New York City primarily through tourism or mass culture may think of us natives as possessing certain shared characteristics, not all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/those-who-know-new-york-city-primarily-through-tourism-or-mass/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) ## More by Ferdinand Foch > [The laurels of victory are at the point of the enemy bayonets. They must be plucked there; they must be carried by a hand-to-hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-laurels-of-victory-are-at-the-point-of-the-enemy-bayonets-they/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [A battle won is a battle which we will not acknowledge to be lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/a-battle-won-is-a-battle-which-we-will-not-acknowledge-to-be-lost/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/my-center-is-giving-way-my-right-is-in-retreat-situation-excellent-i/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [In tactics, action is the governing rule of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/in-tactics-action-is-the-governing-rule-of-war/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [Aviation is fine as a sport. But as an instrument of war, it is worthless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/aviation-is-fine-as-a-sport-but-as-an-instrument-of-war-it-is/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [Far from being a sum of distinct and partial results, victory is the consequence of efforts, some of which are victorious while others appear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/far-from-being-a-sum-of-distinct-and-partial-results-victory-is-the/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [In war there are none but particular cases; everything has there an individual nature; nothing ever repeats itself. In the first place, the data…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/in-war-there-are-none-but-particular-cases-everything-has-there-an/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-most-powerful-weapon-on-earth-is-the-human-soul-on-fire/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [One is defeated only when one accepts defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/one-is-defeated-only-when-one-accepts-defeat/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [I am conscious of having served England as I served my own country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/i-am-conscious-of-having-served-england-as-i-served-my-own-country/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [The unknown is the governing principle of war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-unknown-is-the-governing-principle-of-war/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [It takes 15,000 casualties to train a major general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/it-takes-15-000-casualties-to-train-a-major-general/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [A war not only arises, but derives its nature , from the political ideas, the moral sentiments, and the international relations obtaining at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/a-war-not-only-arises-but-derives-its-nature-from-the-political-ideas/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [To be disciplined does not mean being silent, abstaining, or doing only what one thinks one may undertake without risk; it is not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/to-be-disciplined-does-not-mean-being-silent-abstaining-or-doing-only/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) > [School is a building that has four walls-with tomorrow inside. Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds. There are many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/school-is-a-building-that-has-four-walls-with-tomorrow-inside-our/) [Ferdinand Foch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) [Explore all 36 Ferdinand Foch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/) ## More Charisma quotes > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Those who know New York City primarily through tourism or mass culture may think of us natives as possessing certain shared characteristics, not all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/those-who-know-new-york-city-primarily-through-tourism-or-mass/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [“Self-confident people face their fears head-on and are willing to take risks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/self-confident-people-face-their-fears-head-on-and-are-willing-to/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [“Building confidence is an ongoing process and something that can be accomplished over time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/building-confidence-is-an-ongoing-process-and-something-that-can-be/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [No one has more charisma than me in WWE.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheamus/no-one-has-more-charisma-than-me-in-wwe/) [Sheamus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheamus/) > [They say I'm a natural, I have natural charisma. People say that. I don't know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-henry/they-say-i-m-a-natural-i-have-natural-charisma-people-say-that-i-don/) [Dwight Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-henry/) > [I think generally the heads of terrorist groups are very, very smart people. They're also great manipulators. I would presume that cult leaders are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loretta-napoleoni/i-think-generally-the-heads-of-terrorist-groups-are-very-very-smart/) [Loretta Napoleoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loretta-napoleoni/) > [“If you're completely off your rocker and have delusions of grandeur in which your personal existence is of special significance to the rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-m-wolfe/if-you-re-completely-off-your-rocker-and-have-delusions-of-grandeur/) [Edward M. Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-m-wolfe/) > [Never be impressed with charisma. Look for character.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/never-be-impressed-with-charisma-look-for-character/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [New concepts should be introduced by the power of imagery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coop/new-concepts-should-be-introduced-by-the-power-of-imagery/) Douglas Coop > [Charisma is not just saying hello. It's dropping what you're doing to say hello.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/charisma-is-not-just-saying-hello-it-s-dropping-what-you-re-doing-to/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [“When they are authentically engaged, their positive impressions create memorable moments and leave a lasting impact. Physical beauty becomes irrelevant because their exuberance and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/when-they-are-authentically-engaged-their-positive-impressions-create/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [John Kerry and Ralph Nader met face-to-face, it was a historic meeting. Astronomers said today their meeting actually created what is called a 'charisma…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/john-kerry-and-ralph-nader-met-face-to-face-it-was-a-historic-meeting/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [In high school I had B's and C's, not too many A's, but I must have done well on that medical school test, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-marshall/in-high-school-i-had-b-s-and-c-s-not-too-many-a-s-but-i-must-have/) [Barry Marshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-marshall/) > [Jeanne Moreau, Lauren Bacall, they had this unconventional beauty, this amazing charisma.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-de-la-baume/jeanne-moreau-lauren-bacall-they-had-this-unconventional-beauty-this/) [Josephine de La Baume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-de-la-baume/) [Browse all 349 Charisma quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charisma/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The power to command has never meant the power to remain mysterious.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ferdinand Foch" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the-power-to-remain-mysterious/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Charisma" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the-power-to-remain-mysterious/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/ferdinand-foch-17344_charisma_the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the_1199315.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/ferdinand-foch-17344_charisma_the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the_1199315.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f98/ferdinand-foch-17344_charisma_the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the_1199315.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The power to command has never meant the power to remain mysterious.” — Ferdinand Foch", "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": "Ferdinand Foch", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferdinand-foch/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The power to command has never...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the-power-to-remain-mysterious/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferdinand-foch/the-power-to-command-has-never-meant-the-power-to-remain-mysterious/#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 } } ] } ```