--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the…" description: "\"Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the end routed Caesar's whole force... but either he was unable to or else he feared to push on. Caesar [said] to ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/plutarch-597_commanders_pompey-had-fought-brilliantly-and-in-the_2019989.jpg" --- # Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the end routed… ![“Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the end routed Caesar's whole force... but either he was unable to or else he feared to push on. Caesar [said] to his friends: 'Today the enemy would have won, if they had had a commander who was a winner.'” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/plutarch-597_commanders_pompey-had-fought-brilliantly-and-in-the_2019989.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/plutarch-597_commanders_pompey-had-fought-brilliantly-and-in-the_2019989.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a03/plutarch-597_commanders_pompey-had-fought-brilliantly-and-in-the_2019989.jpg) > “Pompey had fought brilliantly and in the end routed Caesar's whole force... but either he was unable to or else he feared to push on. Caesar \[said\] to his friends: 'Today the enemy would have won, if they had had a commander who was a winner.'” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Caesar suggests that victory depends on having a decisive, winning leader, not just on troops. **In simple terms:** Winning leaders are crucial for success. Key Takeaway Cultivate decisive leadership. Themes leadership military confidence decision-making Mood reflective analytical Type historical strategic When to use this quote - military campaigns - business negotiations - team projects Key Concepts strategic command psychology of victory Questions to Reflect On - How does leadership style affect outcomes? - Can a strong leader compensate for weak tactics? A Different Perspective Leadership alone cannot guarantee success without competent strategy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commanders/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Pompey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pompey/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Winner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winner/) ## Related quotes > [Pompey bade Sylla recollect that more worshipped the rising than the setting sun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/pompey-bade-sylla-recollect-that-more-worshipped-the-rising-than-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [After the battle in Pharsalia, when Pompey was fled, one Nonius said they had seven eagles left still, and advised to try what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/after-the-battle-in-pharsalia-when-pompey-was-fled-one-nonius-said/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“You see, Great Caesar. she said, this is the way in which mortals retain the power of the divine---in every earthly choice they make.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-essex/you-see-great-caesar-she-said-this-is-the-way-in-which-mortals-retain/) [Karen Essex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-essex/) > [“Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. 16And they \*sent their disciples to Him, along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-lockman-foundation/then-the-pharisees-went-and-plotted-together-how-they-might-trap-him/) [The Lockman Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-lockman-foundation/) > [“Does it serve any useful purpose to know that Pompey was the first to exhibit the slaughter of eighteen elephants in the Circus, pitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/does-it-serve-any-useful-purpose-to-know-that-pompey-was-the-first-to/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [“You blocks, you stones, you worse than senseless things! O you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome, Knew you not Pompey?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/you-blocks-you-stones-you-worse-than-senseless-things-o-you-hard/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I was a Pompey lass - I can't say I supported Pompey all the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-ellis/i-was-a-pompey-lass-i-can-t-say-i-supported-pompey-all-the-time/) [Jill Ellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-ellis/) > [Great Pompey's shade complains that we are slow, And Scipio's ghost walks unaveng'd amongst us!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/great-pompey-s-shade-complains-that-we-are-slow-and-scipio-s-ghost-2/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [I feel a much greater interest in knowing what has passed two or three thousand years ago, than in what is now passing. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-feel-a-much-greater-interest-in-knowing-what-has-passed-two-or/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Great Pompey's shade complains that we are slow, And Scipio's ghost walks unavenged amongst us!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/great-pompey-s-shade-complains-that-we-are-slow-and-scipio-s-ghost/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Our men must win or die. Pompey's men have... other options.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-caesar/our-men-must-win-or-die-pompey-s-men-have-other-options/) [Julius Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-caesar/) > [When confronted by a hungry wolf, it is unwise to goad the beast, as Cato would have us do. But it is equally unwise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/when-confronted-by-a-hungry-wolf-it-is-unwise-to-goad-the-beast-as/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [Lampis, the sea commander, being asked how he got his wealth, answered, "My greatest estate I gained easily enough, but the smaller slowly and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/lampis-the-sea-commander-being-asked-how-he-got-his-wealth-answered/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Foreign lady once remarked to the wife of a Spartan commander that the women of Sparta were the only women in the world who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/foreign-lady-once-remarked-to-the-wife-of-a-spartan-commander-that/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Azerbaijan unleashed the war, and was defeated in that war; Azerbaijan asked for truce (including from the Commander of Karabakh's forces) and later started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serzh-sargsyan/azerbaijan-unleashed-the-war-and-was-defeated-in-that-war-azerbaijan/) [Serzh Sargsyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serzh-sargsyan/) ## More by Plutarch > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The generous mind adds dignity to every act, and nothing misbecomes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-generous-mind-adds-dignity-to-every-act-and-nothing-misbecomes-it/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [King Agis said, "The Lacedæmonians are not wont to ask how many, but where the enemy are."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/king-agis-said-the-laced-monians-are-not-wont-to-ask-how-many-but/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Alexander wept when he heard from Anaxarchus that there was an infinite number of worlds; and his friends asking him if any accident had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/alexander-wept-when-he-heard-from-anaxarchus-that-there-was-an/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Proper listening is the foundation of proper living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/proper-listening-is-the-foundation-of-proper-living/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/painting-is-silent-poetry-and-poetry-is-painting-that-speaks/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Speech is like cloth of Arras opened and put abroad, whereby the imagery doth appear in figure; whereas in thoughts they lie but as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/speech-is-like-cloth-of-arras-opened-and-put-abroad-whereby-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [There were two brothers called Both and Either; perceiving Either was a good, understanding, busy fellow, and Both a silly fellow and good for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/there-were-two-brothers-called-both-and-either-perceiving-either-was/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Why does pouring Oil on the Sea make it Clear and Calm? Is it that the winds, slipping the smooth oil, have no force,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/why-does-pouring-oil-on-the-sea-make-it-clear-and-calm-is-it-that-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [This excerpt is presented as reproduced by Copernicus in the preface to De Revolutionibus: "Some think that the earth remains at rest. But Philolaus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/this-excerpt-is-presented-as-reproduced-by-copernicus-in-the-preface/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [It is part of a good man to do great and noble deeds, though he risk everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/it-is-part-of-a-good-man-to-do-great-and-noble-deeds-though-he-risk/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [The pilot cannot mitigate the billows or calm the winds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/the-pilot-cannot-mitigate-the-billows-or-calm-the-winds/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [“In Springtime, O Dionysos, To thy holy temple come, To Elis with thy Graces, Rushing with thy bull-foot, come, Noble Bull, Noble Bull”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/in-springtime-o-dionysos-to-thy-holy-temple-come-to-elis-with-thy/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) [Explore all 451 Plutarch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## More Commanders quotes > [Azerbaijan unleashed the war, and was defeated in that war; Azerbaijan asked for truce (including from the Commander of Karabakh's forces) and later started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serzh-sargsyan/azerbaijan-unleashed-the-war-and-was-defeated-in-that-war-azerbaijan/) [Serzh Sargsyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serzh-sargsyan/) > [The architect is very interesting because the architect is the commander, meaning the one who commands all the workers. The architect is also the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-architect-is-very-interesting-because-the-architect-is-the/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [Through my time in the military and my deployments, I have recognized the importance of having a Commander in Chief who will not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/through-my-time-in-the-military-and-my-deployments-i-have-recognized/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [Blackbeard was larger than life. He was 6'4" in 1710. He was a colossus, and like a rock star walking into a bar. He…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevenson/blackbeard-was-larger-than-life-he-was-6-4-in-1710-he-was-a-colossus/) [Ray Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevenson/) > [At first he thought he felt bad because he was afraid of leading an army, but it wasn't true. He knew he'd make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/at-first-he-thought-he-felt-bad-because-he-was-afraid-of-leading-an/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [I intend to make America strong again. I'm going to be the champion of the middle class, where I came from. If you make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsey-graham/i-intend-to-make-america-strong-again-i-m-going-to-be-the-champion-of/) [Lindsey Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsey-graham/) > [“weaker commanders would get a solid explanation about the burden of command and the deep meaning of responsibility: the leader is truly and ultimately…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jocko-willink/weaker-commanders-would-get-a-solid-explanation-about-the-burden-of/) [Jocko Willink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jocko-willink/) > [When you kneel in prayer, don't give God orders, just report to your Commander in Chief for duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-catt/when-you-kneel-in-prayer-don-t-give-god-orders-just-report-to-your/) [Michael Catt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-catt/) > [The commander of the forces of a large State may be carried off, but the will of even a common man cannot be taken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-commander-of-the-forces-of-a-large-state-may-be-carried-off-but/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/he-who-has-never-learned-to-obey-cannot-be-a-good-commander/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [The nature of encounter operations required of the commanders limitless initiative and constant readiness to take the responsibility for military actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgy-zhukov/the-nature-of-encounter-operations-required-of-the-commanders/) [Georgy Zhukov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgy-zhukov/) > [My first job as commander in chief is to keep the American people safe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/my-first-job-as-commander-in-chief-is-to-keep-the-american-people-safe/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I don't even think of myself as a quote, unquote star - that's really douchey. I think of myself as just like a dance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kesha/i-don-t-even-think-of-myself-as-a-quote-unquote-star-that-s-really/) [Kesha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kesha/) > [I don't like celebrity quarterbacks. We don't need those. 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