Sam Manekshaw quotes

It's nonsense that people join the army to serve the country, like the politicians do it only for the sake of the country. (Sam Manekshaw)

There will be no withdrawal without written orders and these orders shall never be issued.

Sam Manekshaw

If a man says he is not afraid of dying, he is either lying or is a Gurkha.

Sam Manekshaw

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; a guerrilla from a gorilla, although a great many resemble the latter.

Sam Manekshaw

The status of the field marshal of the country or the equivalent has to be unique for the nation.

Sam Manekshaw

The primary, the cardinal attribute of leadership is professional knowledge and professional competence. And you will agree with me... that you cannot be born with professional knowledge and professional competence. Not even if you are the son of the Prime Minister, an industrialist, or a Field Marshal. 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.

Sam Manekshaw

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 loose don't come back.

Sam Manekshaw

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.

Sam Manekshaw

Then I guess Pakistan would have won (the 1971 war).

Sam Manekshaw

You know I have no political ambitions. My job is to command my army and see that it is kept as a first rate instrument. Your job is to look after the country.

Sam Manekshaw

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'. (Sam Manekshaw)

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.

Sam Manekshaw

Whether an atom bomb is necessary or not, in this world if you want to be recognized, if you don't want to be kicked about, you have to be powerful both militarily and economically.

Sam Manekshaw

He was an extremely humane and approachable officer and was the epitome of a gentleman.

Sam Manekshaw

Naturally UK. I know the British, know their language, whereas elsewhere I will have to get myself familiar with the people and learn their language refresh.

Sam Manekshaw

To the hypothetical question where outside India I would like to stay, I said: Naturally UK. I know the British, know their language, whereas elsewhere I will have to get myself familiar with the people and learn their language refresh.

Sam Manekshaw