Georges Maget Quotes
For a Samurai to be brave, he must have a bit of black blood.
Often cited as a Japanese Proverb, however, there is no evidence of its general use. The quote can be traced to Georges Maget, a French Naval doctor in the 1870’s – see the article link in the citation. Magets reference to “black blood” is likely rooted in the French historical slang “sang noir,” which was used to describe non-noble blood.
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His documentation of Bushido—the way of the warrior—has influenced Japanese culture and behavior even into modern times. This statement in large part explained the behavior of Japanese troops in WWII. Surrender was considered cowardice and therefore fighting to the death was required of all Japanese. This particular work was studied by American experts on Japan and the assumption that this was the Japanese cultural imperative for soldier and civilian alike, was one of the major factors leading Truman and America to use the Atomic bomb in WWII for they did not anticipate any Japanese surrender otherwise and an invasion of the Japanese mainland would have killed more Japanese and many Americans as well. Even after the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the Japanese would not surrender and it took the Emperor to finally contradict the Japanese culture as stated in Yamamoto Tsunetomo’s writing. See also {586232}.
Adams, after his presidency, served in the House of Representatives for many years. He collapsed at his desk in the House and died in the Speaker’s office.
In the attack on Fort Wagner, the color bearer was killed as was the Commanding Officer, Colonel Shaw. Carney raised the flag and led the men up the sand wall into the Confederate midst. They were vastly outnumbered and then retreated. Carney was the first Black to win the Medal of Honor.
Goebel, a state senator, had campaigned against the railroad and corporate trusts. He was the first candidate in Kentucky to openly campaign for the Black vote and he, even though a Democrat, got it. The railroads and trusts campaigned hard for the incumbent. A very close election produced a crisis when the incumbent Republican Governor refused to give up the Statehouse and armed men converged on the capital. Somehow Goebel was shot and mortally wounded.
This passage from Mormon scripture justifies self defense and certain righteous war. It is also used by some Christians to argue that Mormons are not Christians because they do not accept Christ’s directive to “turn the other cheek”.
Attila the Hun. The Romans aided by Theodoric, King of the Visigoths, fought the Huns in the only battle that Attila ever lost which he lost badly. There were 165,000 men killed in an afternoon. The Roman General, Flavius Aetius, had been a boyhood friend of Attila’s and had fought with him against the Visigoths. The Romans had Attila trapped but his old friend let him escape with just a good thrashing to his ego and army as to not upset the balance of power and tilt it in favor of the Goths. Roman foreign policy at the time was to keep all the Barbarians strong enough to fight one another so that none would be dominant but all weaker than Rome. Divide and conquer.
It was then customary to return with the head of a killed Samurai which would be made up as if in life so the dead man could be recognized. That way, the victor received more recognition with the importance of the Samurai who he defeated.
Colonel Banks had given him the Regimental colors flag and urged him to take care to return it with honor. This was his famous reply. In the midst of the Battle he was hit fatally with a cannonball. A Black corporal then took up the colors and he too was killed and yet another Negro corporal took the flag and returned it after a battle where the Blacks were commended for their valor. This quotation has been quoted to military men and women throughout the world as an outstanding example of military bravery and honor..
