Generals Quote by Graham Greene
““Hullo, commandant,' I said, 'how's the General?' 'Which general?' he asked with a shy grin. 'Surely in the Caodaist faith,' I said, 'all generals are reconciled.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Quiet American, 1955
A character uses a playful exchange to illustrate how authority can be ambiguous and how people may hide true intentions behind casual conversation.
In simple terms: Authority can be vague and hidden behind jokes.
Key Takeaway
Question the motives behind casual remarks.
Themes
authority
deception
communication
power
ambiguity
Mood
wry
critical
thoughtful
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political meetings
- military briefings
- informal negotiations
Key Concepts
political satire
character interaction
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What does the grin reveal about power?
- When does humor become a shield for authority?
A Different Perspective
The humor may mask serious power imbalances, making critique harder.
![“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)
