Emulate Quote by Kato Kiyomasa
“It is said that the inferior seek to emulate the superior. Thus, if a general slackens only a little, those beneath him will be greatly negligent.”
About This Quote
Source Historical record: Writings of Kato Kiyomasa, late 16th century Japan
Leaders' laxity quickly spreads, causing greater negligence among subordinates.
In simple terms: When a leader weakens, followers become much more careless.
Key Takeaway
Maintain strict standards to prevent widespread decline.
Themes
leadership
discipline
responsibility
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
cautionary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- military command
- corporate management
- team sports coaching
Key Concepts
hierarchy
moral decay
organizational behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you model consistency for your team?
- What safeguards can prevent negligence when standards slip?
A Different Perspective
If subordinates are already diligent, a slight slack may not cause major issues.
![“I'm a big fan of [Frank] Sinatra, he was the best at what he did. The last thing I do is model my career after him, though, because we do different things. He was a great singer and a great actor ... It never crossed my mind to emulate his career, because we have different interests.” quote by Harry Connick, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb9/harry-connick-jr-3461_actors_i-m-a-big-fan-of-frank-sinatra-he-was-th_12425.jpg)
![“It seemed so wimpy at first when I started to play [guitar]. So I started playing loud with lots of effects just to try to mimic the dynamic [of the drums]. Drums seemed a lot more expressive. [I was] Trying to emulate the feeling of playing the drums on the guitar - I guess that's why I played it…” quote by J Mascis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2f0/j-mascis-27113_effects_it-seemed-so-wimpy-at-first-when-i-start_73329.jpg)
