--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The impossibility of keeping Englishmen…" description: "\"The impossibility of keeping Englishmen sober ashore was a constant source of complaint, It was the great weakness of 16th century English infantrymen,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/nicholas-rodger-38867_century_the-impossibility-of-keeping-englishmen_2120151.jpg" --- # The impossibility of keeping Englishmen sober ashore was a… ![“The impossibility of keeping Englishmen sober ashore was a constant source of complaint, It was the great weakness of 16th century English infantrymen, whose performance when sober was admired even by the Spaniards. Already it was true, as it was to be for centuries, that many saw and despised the…” quote by Nicholas Rodger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/nicholas-rodger-38867_century_the-impossibility-of-keeping-englishmen_2120151.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/nicholas-rodger-38867_century_the-impossibility-of-keeping-englishmen_2120151.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/81d/nicholas-rodger-38867_century_the-impossibility-of-keeping-englishmen_2120151.jpg) > “The impossibility of keeping Englishmen sober ashore was a constant source of complaint, It was the great weakness of 16th century English infantrymen, whose performance when sober was admired even by the Spaniards. Already it was true, as it was to be for centuries, that many saw and despised the drunken sailor ashore, but few knew and admired him at his work afloat.” [Nicholas Rodger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-rodger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. English soldiers struggled with alcohol on land, yet performed admirably at sea. **In simple terms:** Drunkenness hindered land duties, but sailors excelled. Key Takeaway Address substance issues, value discipline. Themes military discipline alcohol Mood reflective analytical Type historical military When to use this quote - naval warfare - land battles - training programs - health policies Key Concepts historical context social behavior Questions to Reflect On - How can modern forces mitigate alcohol abuse? - What cultural factors sustain drinking habits? A Different Perspective Alcohol may still affect performance despite training. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Complaints](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complaints/) [Impossibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impossibility/) [Infantryman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infantryman/) [Performances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/performances/) [Sailor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sailor/) [Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sober/) [Weakness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weakness/) ## Related quotes > [Every infantryman in the Soviet Army carries with him a small spade. When he is given the order to halt he immediately lies flat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viktor-suvorov/every-infantryman-in-the-soviet-army-carries-with-him-a-small-spade/) Viktor Suvorov > [The infantryman slithers in the mud, while many teams of horses are needed to drag each gun forward. 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