No matter how bad things got, no matter how anxious the staff became, the commander had to “preserve optimism in himself and in his command. Without confidence, enthusiasm and optimism in the command, victory is scarcely obtainable.” Eisenhower realized that “optimism and pessimism are infectious and they spread more rapidly from the head downward than in any other direction.” He learned that a commander’s optimism “has a most extraordinary effect upon all with whom he comes in contact. With this clear realization, I firmly determined that my mannerisms and speech in public would always reflect the cheerful certainty of victory–that any pessimism and discouragement I might ever feel would be reserved for my pillow. Stephen E. Ambrose
Some Similar Quotes
  1. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. - Unknown
  2. By night, Love, tie your heart to mine, and the two together in their sleep will defeat the darkness - Pablo Neruda
  3. We cast a shadow on something wherever we stand, and it is no good moving from place to place to save things; because the shadow always follows. Choose a place where you won't do harm - yes, choose a place where you won't do very... - E.m. Forster
  4. How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also If I am to be whole - C.g. Jung
  5. I wonder if that's how darkness wins, by convincing us to trap it inside ourselves, instead of emptying it out. I don't want it to win. - Jasmine Warga
More Quotes By Stephen E. Ambrose
  1. No matter how bleak and black her existence became, the familiar sight of the moon restored something within her, small as it was–like tiny fluttering wings of flame beating back the darkness.
  2. It was more real than anything she’d ever imagined, and she clung to that in the same way that the sky clung to the earth.
  3. We all know pain, ’ Nate said. ‘It becomes a part of us… But it doesn't define us.
  4. Only two people knew this side of her–herself, and the one who had created it; the one who made her secretly loathe herself, made her feel used and dirty and broken–like tarnished scraps of silver. These night-time reminders made her too aware that like those...
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