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 peop…"

"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 professio…"

"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."

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

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

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

"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, alth…"

"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 Marshal but he can never become a leader nor, ever be respected. He will be used b…"