Political Quotes

Teddy Roosevelt: “No civilian could be five minutes on a battleship without realizing his unfitness to command it; but there are any…”

On the recordJanuary 1, 1900
No civilian could be five minutes on a battleship without realizing his unfitness to command it; but there are any number of civilians who firmly believe they can command regiments, when they have not a single trait, natural or acquired, that really fits them for the task.
Said by
Teddy Roosevelt
Republican · New York

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the specialized nature of military and naval command, this highlights the public's underestimation of the skills required for land forces.

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