A Practical Observation on the Risks of Stupidity

Truppenführung ("Unit Command") was a German Army field manual issued to all commissioned and senior non-commissioned officers from its first publication in 1933 up to the end of World War II. It contained basic military doctrine for the German land forces during the war and a modified form is still in use today by the Federal German Army.

German General Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord observed in Truppenführung:

"I divide my officers into four classes; the clever, the lazy, the industrious, and the stupid. Each officer possesses at least two of these qualities. Those who are clever and industrious are fitted for the highest staff appointments. Use can be made of those who are stupid and lazy. The man who is clever and lazy however is for the very highest command; he has the temperament and nerves to deal with all situations. But whoever is stupid and industrious is a menace and must be removed immediately!"

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"The first criterion in war remains decisive action. Everyone from the highest commander down to the youngest soldier, must be constantly aware that inaction and neglect incriminate him more severely than any error in the choice of means." (emphasis in the original text)

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