“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame.”
The Art of War, Chapter X · Terrain
Context: If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.
Original
将弱不严，教道不明，将之过也。
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Sun Tzu 68
ancient Chinese military general, strategist and philosophe… -543–-495 BCRelated quotes
“Confusion is a word we have invented for an order which is not understood.”
Tropic of Capricorn http://books.google.com/books?id=_HAhCxNs-QUC&lpg=PA176&q="Confusion+is+a+word+we+have+invented+for+an+order+which+is+not+understood"&pg=PA176#v=onepage (1939)
Other
“I'm not dumb. I just have a command of thoroughly useless information.”
Prologue as translated in Readings in European History, Vol. I (1904) edited by James Harvey Robinson, p. 450
Sic et Non (1120)
Context: There are many seeming contradictions and even obscurities in the innumerable writings of the church fathers. Our respect for their authority should not stand in the way of an effort on our part to come at the truth. The obscurity and contradictions in ancient writings may be explained upon many grounds, and may be discussed without impugning the good faith and insight of the fathers. A writer may use different terms to mean the same thing, in order to avoid a monotonous repetition of the same word. Common, vague words may be employed in order that the common people may understand; and sometimes a writer sacrifices perfect accuracy in the interest of a clear general statement. Poetical, figurative language is often obscure and vague.
Not infrequently apocryphal works are attributed to the saints. Then, even the best authors often introduce the erroneous views of others and leave the reader to distinguish between the true and the false. Sometimes, as Augustine confesses in his own case, the fathers ventured to rely upon the opinions of others.
Pt. II, Ch. 16 : The Rights of Women
Social Statics (1851)
“And here I understood that that the Lord beholdeth the servant with pity and not with blame.”
The Sixteenth Revelation, Chapter 82
Context: But here shewed our courteous Lord the moaning and the mourning of the soul, signifying thus: I know well thou wilt live for my love, joyously and gladly suffering all the penance that may come to thee; but in as much as thou livest not without sin thou wouldest suffer, for my love, all the woe, all the tribulation and distress that might come to thee. And it is sooth. But be not greatly aggrieved with sin that falleth to thee against thy will.
And here I understood that that the Lord beholdeth the servant with pity and not with blame. For this passing life asketh not to live all without blame and sin.