Month: June 2024

The advantage of continued personal intervention is largely illusory

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Anyone who wants to lead others should read military literature. In particular, may I reccommend the writings of Helmuth von Moltke, a XIX century German general who is considered the father of modern warfare (a.k.a. “von Moltke the Elder”). I believe that all of us know somebody whom to copy this citation! “The advantage which … Read more

Loose lips sink ships

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“Loose lips sink ships.” Literally: “Free-speaking lips sink ships.”In other words: “beware of unguarded talk.” It was an American wartime slogan used during the Second World War to urge civilians not to share information with anyone. It is an old military motto, but it remains perfectly valid today:in certain offices, with just a couple of … Read more

Idiots

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Have you ever wondered what the word “idiot” means? This word has a very ancient origin and an even more extraordinary history! You see, the ancient Greeks had a curious little word: “idiotes” (from which the word “idiot” is derived). “Idiotes” in the Greek world stood for the private man, the man who thinks only … Read more

Positions are temporary …

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“Positions are temporary. Degrees and titles are limited in time. But how you treat people will always be remembered.” “Positions, fleeting as the wind, do fade away. Degrees and titles, bounded by time’s swift pace, do expire. Yet, how thou treat’st thy fellow mortal shall be remembered aye.” (Authors unknown)

In Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had …

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“Like the fella says, in Italy for 30 years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder, and bloodshed, but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and the Renaissance. In Switzerland they had brotherly love – they had 500 years of democracy and peace, and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock.” Harry Lime (Orson … Read more