Army Quote by Sam Manekshaw
“He who neither drinks, nor smokes, nor dances, he who preaches & even occasionally practice piety, temperance and celibacy, is generally a saint, or a mahatma or more likely a humbug but he certainly won't make a leader or for that matter a good soldier”
About This Quote
Source Memoir: My Years with the Indian Army, 1995
Strict abstinence and piety do not guarantee leadership or soldierly excellence.
In simple terms: Virtue alone doesn't make a good leader.
Key Takeaway
Balance personal discipline with practical skills.
Themes
leadership
virtue
military
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- military training
- ethical decision making
- personal development
Key Concepts
Temperance
piety
leadership qualities
Questions to Reflect On
- Can moral discipline coexist with strong leadership?
- How to avoid hypocrisy in leadership?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on asceticism can hinder effectiveness.
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
