--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a general shows confidence in his men…" description: "\"If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.\" — Sun Tzu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec0/sun-tzu-283_confidence_if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men_1150760.jpg" --- # If a general shows confidence in his men but always… ![“If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.” quote by Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec0/sun-tzu-283_confidence_if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men_1150760.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec0/sun-tzu-283_confidence_if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men_1150760.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec0/sun-tzu-283_confidence_if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men_1150760.jpg) > “If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.” [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Confidence in troops combined with strict obedience creates mutual benefit. **In simple terms:** Leaders must trust and enforce orders. Key Takeaway Balance trust with clear command. Themes leadership military discipline Mood strategic instructional Type military leadership When to use this quote - team training - military drills - corporate management - sports coaching Key Concepts authority mutual respect Questions to Reflect On - When should a leader allow flexibility? - How does trust affect performance under strict orders? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on obedience can stifle initiative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) ## Related quotes > [When someone shows confidence in you, you want to reward it back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divock-origi/when-someone-shows-confidence-in-you-you-want-to-reward-it-back/) [Divock Origi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divock-origi/) > [That's a strong sign of a good coach, to let an assistant participate. It shows his confidence in the coach's ability not to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-west/that-s-a-strong-sign-of-a-good-coach-to-let-an-assistant-participate/) [Jerry West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-west/) > [Winning the men's confidence requires much of a commander. He must exercise care and caution, look after his men, live under the same hardships,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erwin-rommel/winning-the-men-s-confidence-requires-much-of-a-commander-he-must/) [Erwin Rommel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erwin-rommel/) > [“Although the sum and substance of the happy life is unalloyed freedom from care, and though the secret of such freedom is unshaken confidence...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucius-annaeus-seneca/although-the-sum-and-substance-of-the-happy-life-is-unalloyed-freedom/) [Lucius Annaeus Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucius-annaeus-seneca/) > [I hope that women know that they can and should try everything they're interested in - with the confidence that men have had.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susanna-fogel/i-hope-that-women-know-that-they-can-and-should-try-everything-they/) [Susanna Fogel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susanna-fogel/) > [No men can act with effect who do not act in concert; no men can act in concert who do not act with confidence;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/no-men-can-act-with-effect-who-do-not-act-in-concert-no-men-can-act/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Underlying the whole scheme of civilization is the confidence men have in each other, confidence in their integrity, confidence in their honesty, confidence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bourke-cockran/underlying-the-whole-scheme-of-civilization-is-the-confidence-men/) [William Bourke Cockran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bourke-cockran/) > [“we learn best by placing our 'confidence in men and women whose examples invite us to love what they love'(Robert Wilken).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dirda/we-learn-best-by-placing-our-confidence-in-men-and-women-whose/) [Michael Dirda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dirda/) > [Confidence men have a simple rule: never drop the con - even if you're exposed. For Donald Trump, that's a way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neera-tanden/confidence-men-have-a-simple-rule-never-drop-the-con-even-if-you-re/) [Neera Tanden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neera-tanden/) > [In terms of relationships, women often completely over-estimate the confidence of men, and forget about needing to feel validated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-hussey/in-terms-of-relationships-women-often-completely-over-estimate-the/) [Matthew Hussey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-hussey/) > [Whoever puts his confidence in men or in any creature is very foolish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/whoever-puts-his-confidence-in-men-or-in-any-creature-is-very-foolish/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I see the main problem of my life, and indeed anybody's life, as the balancing of competitive freedoms ... a sense of mutual obligations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-west/i-see-the-main-problem-of-my-life-and-indeed-anybody-s-life-as-the/) [Rebecca West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-west/) > [A free society depends upon a high degree of mutual trust. The public will not give that trust to officials who are not seen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/archibald-cox/a-free-society-depends-upon-a-high-degree-of-mutual-trust-the-public/) [Archibald Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/archibald-cox/) > [What really holds their marriage together are mutual respect of an awesome depth, a shared sense of humor, faith that they were brought together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/what-really-holds-their-marriage-together-are-mutual-respect-of-an/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## More by Sun Tzu > [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-according-to-the-shapes-that-i-lay-the-plans-for-victory-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/go-into-emptiness-strike-voids-bypass-what-he-defends-hit-him-where/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-a-similar-way-the-art-of-war-pinpoints-anger-and-greed-as/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“The PEOPLE being regarded as the essential part of the State, and FOOD as the people's heaven, is it not right that those in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-people-being-regarded-as-the-essential-part-of-the-state-and-food/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/therefore-the-good-fighter-will-be-terrible-in-his-onset-and-prompt/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“So long as victory can be attained,  stupid haste is preferable to clever dilatoriness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/so-long-as-victory-can-be-attained-stupid-haste-is-preferable-to/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/you-can-ensure-the-safety-of-your-defense-if-you-only-hold-positions/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/hence-when-able-to-attack-we-must-seem-unable-when-using-our-forces/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-we-do-not-wish-to-fight-we-can-prevent-the-enemy-from-engaging-us/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-general-who-wins-a-battle-makes-many-calculations-in-his-temple/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/in-all-fighting-the-direct-method-may-be-used-for-joining-battle-but/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [“To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/to-begin-by-bluster-but-afterwards-to-take-fright-at-the-enemy-s/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) > [ They \[spies\] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/they-spies-cannot-be-properly-managed-without-benevolence-and/) [Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) [Explore all 685 Sun Tzu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/) ## More Confidence quotes > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [I was just confident my work was good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bunny-yeager/i-was-just-confident-my-work-was-good/) [Bunny Yeager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bunny-yeager/) > [I am confident when I take the penalty otherwise I would pass for somebody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-fernandes/i-am-confident-when-i-take-the-penalty-otherwise-i-would-pass-for/) [Bruno Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-fernandes/) > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) Senoraroy > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/if-you-go-to-any-nunnery-and-ask-them-what-the-main-obstacle-is-they/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) [Browse all 11,290 Confidence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sun Tzu" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men-but-always-insists-on-his/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Confidence" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men-but-always-insists-on-his/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec0/sun-tzu-283_confidence_if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men_1150760.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec0/sun-tzu-283_confidence_if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men_1150760.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec0/sun-tzu-283_confidence_if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men_1150760.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be…” — Sun Tzu", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Sun Tzu", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If a general shows confidence in...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men-but-always-insists-on-his/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/if-a-general-shows-confidence-in-his-men-but-always-insists-on-his/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```