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The spirit of the commander is naturally communicated to the troops, and there is an ancient saying that it is better to have an army of deer commanded by a lion than an army of lions commanded by a deer.

Ἐπειδὴ πέφυκε τῷ φρονήματι τῶν ἀρχόντων συνδιατίθεσθαι τοὺς ἀρχομένους, ἀρχαῖος ἐστι λόγος, κάλλιον εἶναι λέοντα ἐλάφων ἄρχειν ἢ ἔλαφον λεόντων.

Original text (Ancient Greek)

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Notes from Wikiquote

Also cited by Leo, Tactical Constitutions, 20, 128

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Before getting into danger, the general should worship God. When he does get into danger, then, he can with confidence pray to God as a friend.

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After gaining a victory the general who pursues the enemy with a scattered and disorganized army gives away his victory to the foe.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Maurice (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.