Generals Quote by Georges Clemenceau
“Generals cannot be trusted with anything, not even with war.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Post‑World War I Address, Georges Clemenceau, 1919
Clemenceau distrusts military leaders, implying political oversight is essential because even war can be mismanaged.
In simple terms: Generals aren’t reliable, even in war.
Key Takeaway
Ensure civilian control over military actions.
Themes
politics
military
trust
leadership
oversight
Mood
critical
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Policy making
- defense budgeting
- public debate
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
Civil‑military relations
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can civilians effectively supervise military decisions?
- What safeguards prevent abuse of military power?
A Different Perspective
May overlook competent military expertise.
![“One of the things I would immediately do [as Commander in Chief ], in addition to defeating them here at home, is bring back the warrior class - Petraeus, McChrystal, Mattis, Keane, Flynn. Every single one of these generals I know. Every one was retired early because they told President [Barack]…” quote by Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/397/carly-fiorina-1077_barack_one-of-the-things-i-would-immediately-do_299161.jpg)
