Matthew Stover Quotes
Truth is always your first sacrifice to the welfare of the state
Matthew Stover, Writer, Blade of Tyshalle, 2001
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
Historically almost all dictators seized their power and war criminals committed their murders to “save their nation.”
Lord Murray had decided to support Prince Charles in his attempt to seize the Scottish Crown. His statement is one of the great examples of self-interest yielding to principles. Note that the capitalization of “King” and “Country” are the Lord’s and reflects the majesty that these words then reflected.
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..
Ataturk was a young major at the time commanding troops of a weak and corrupt Ottoman regime. However a combined English and French (the strongest military powers in Europe) invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula threatened to capture the Turkish capital, Constantinople. Ataturk alone rallied the Turkish defenders and fought the invaders to a standoff in long drawn out battle with huge casualties on both sides. Ataturk became a national hero. Although Ataturk thereafter was very reluctant to use military force or endanger troops, the thing he always thought worth the supreme sacrifice (including his own) was the independence and sovereignty of the nation. See {584502} for his continuing belief in this type of sacrifice.
Westmoreland’s critics point to this quotation as an illustration of exactly why he was the wrong man for the job. As Vietnam Supreme Commander, he controlled more firepower than any other military leader in history and yet he had “no room” for thought or reason much less mercy. Subsequent commanders of U. S. military efforts were much more sophisticated like, Colin Powell, Norman Schwarzkopf, and Wesley Clark who were leading American thinkers, sophisticated at political and military reasoning and very capable of mercy. The modern American military requires men and women who are skilled at thinking and reasoning.
Matthew Woodring Stover (born 1962) is an American fantasy and science fiction novelist. He may be known best for his four Star Wars novels, including the novelization of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. He has also written several fantasy novels, including Iron Dawn and Jericho Moon. He has written four science-fiction/fantasy hybrid stories featuring a hero named Caine: Heroes Die, Blade of Tyshalle, and Caine Black Knife, with the most recent, Caine's Law, released April 4, 2012.
