Erwin Rommel Quotes

If you've been on top of the food chain in the Armed Forces, that's who you are. You're used to dealing with your life in a particular way.

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

Learn to obey before you command.

There has to be absolute trust between the tiger and its master, but its master must be the master - there must be no mistake about that.

He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.

I don't think I have been loved by my troops, but I think I have been respected.

He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.

My power comes from the military.

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.

The more a leader is in the habit of demanding from his men, the surer he will be that his demands will be answered.

He that cannot obey, cannot command.

A sailing ship is no democracy; you don't caucus a crew as to where you'll go anymore than you inquire when they'd like to shorten sail.

Who has not served cannot command.

Generals don't panic; then the troops never panic.

I don't mind how much my Ministers talk, so long as they do what I say.

A disciplined person is one who follows the will of the one who gives the orders.

The majority is still at the General's disposal.

The Navy has changed a great deal. Not that the officers of my day were bad, because I served under a lot of good officers, believe me. But there were a few bad ones, too.

So I still seized the power, but I felt that if I officially made myself the boss, in black and white, it would be too intimidating for the other producers and the other men who worked on the show. In other words, I had the power, but I gave them the title.

Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.

The man whose authority is recent is always stern.

In order to be a lieutenant, you've got to have authority in your voice. No matter how young your face looks, you've got to let your guys know that you're in charge.

A piece of spaghetti or a military unit can only be led from the front end.

I could not bear the obvious mistakes made during the maneuver, and afterwards I criticized the pasha bitterly in the presence of all his officers, even though in doing so I exceeded my authority and my rank. The pasha looked hurt, but did not bear me malice…My behavior may have been contrary to discipline. But if a person trained in Germany does not work at the art of command, what can we expect of those who have not had this advantage? Perhaps when they see that they are criticized by their juniors, our commanders will learn to do better.

Trust your leaders and you will enjoy the fruits of your obedience.