15+ Inspiring Quotes By Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw

As one of India's most revered military leaders, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw left an indelible mark on the nation's history. Known for his strategic brilliance, leadership acumen, and unwavering commitment to service, Manekshaw's words continue to inspire generations of soldiers, statesmen, and citizens alike. According to Jagran Josh, his quotes offer a glimpse into the mind of a true military visionary.

The Life and Legacy of Sam Manekshaw

Born in 1914 in Tamil Nadu, Sam Manekshaw rose through the ranks of the Indian Army to become the first Indian officer to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal. He is best remembered for his pivotal role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, which resulted in the liberation of Bangladesh. Manekshaw's strategic prowess, combined with his charismatic leadership, earned him widespread respect and admiration, both within the armed forces and in the public eye.

Manekshaw on Leadership and Discipline

One of the hallmarks of Manekshaw's legacy was his emphasis on strong leadership and unwavering discipline. As Jagran Josh reports, he often stressed the importance of these qualities in the military and beyond. "A good leader is a man who can adapt to change," Manekshaw once said, underscoring the need for flexibility and adaptability in the face of adversity.

Inspiring Quotes By Sam Manekshaw

Throughout his life, Manekshaw left behind a rich legacy of wisdom and insight that continue to resonate with people across India. As Jagran Josh highlights, his quotes touch on a wide range of topics, from military strategy and leadership to personal growth and resilience. Here are some of his most inspiring words:

• "The enemy is not in front of you, nor behind you, but within you."
• "If it's illegal, I don't do it. If it's immoral, I don't think about it."
• "Never, ever underestimate your opponent."
• "Gentlemen, I will not order you into battle. I will lead you into battle."
• "I have only one regret in my life – that I have not drunk enough champagne."
• “Give me a man or a woman with common sense and who is not an idiot and I assure you can make a leader out of him or her.”
• “What is the next thing you need for leadership? It is the ability to make up your mind to make a decision and accept full responsibility for that decision.”
• “Professional knowledge and professional competence are the main attributes of leadership. Unless you know, and the men you command know that you know your job, you will never be a leader.”
• “The primary, the cardinal attribute of leadership is professional knowledge and professional competence. Professional knowledge has to be acquired the hard way. It is continuous study and you never acquire it in today's fast-moving technological world that you are living in. You have to keep up with your profession whatever you are in.”

• “The status of the field marshal of the country or the equivalent has to be unique for the nation.”
• “A 'Yes man' is a dangerous man. He is a menace. He will go very far. He can become a minister, a secretary or a Field Marshall but he can never become a leader nor, ever be respected. He will be used by his superiors, disliked by his colleagues and despised by his subordinates. So discard the 'Yes man'.”
• “One thing remains the same, your task and your duty. You are required to ensure the security of this country against any offence. What is that means for you? That means, that you should have to fight, a fight to win. There is no roof for losers, if you lose don't come back.”
• “If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.”
• “I wonder whether those of our political masters who have been put in charge of the defence of the country can distinguish a mortar from a motor, a gun from a howitzer, guerilla from a gorilla, although a great many resemble the latter.”
• “What is moral courage? It is the ability to distinguish right from wrong and having so distinguished it, being prepared to say so, irrespective of the views held by your superiors or subordinates and of the consequences of yourself.”
• “There will be no withdrawal without written orders and these orders shall never be issued.”
• “Whether an atom bomb is necessary or not, in this world if you want to be recognised, if you don’t want to be kicked about, you have to be powerful both militarily and economically.”
• “It’s nonsense that people join the army to serve the country like the politicians do it only for the sake of the country.”
• “He who neither drinks, nor smokes, nor dances, he who preaches and even occasionally practises piety, temperance, and celibacy, is generally a saint, or a mahatma, or more likely a humbug but certainly won’t make a leader or, for that matter, a good soldier.”

Throughout his long and distinguished life (1914-2008), Sam Manekshaw garnered numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibhushan, and the Military Cross.

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