Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

Meaning of the quote

Instead of telling people exactly how to do something, just tell them what you want them to do. They'll come up with their own clever ways to get it done, and you might be surprised by how creative they can be.

About George S. Patton

George S. Patton was a legendary U.S. Army general who commanded forces in the Mediterranean and European theaters during World War II. Known for his bold and aggressive tactics, Patton led the Seventh Army in the invasion of Sicily and the Third Army’s drive across France, playing a crucial role in the Allied victory. Despite his successes, Patton’s controversial public statements and military discipline issues occasionally landed him in hot water with his superiors.

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More quotes from George S. Patton

A pint of sweat, saves a gallon of blood.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Battle is an orgy of disorder.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

If a man has done his best, what else is there?

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

There is only one sort of discipline, perfect discipline.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Americans love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

You need to overcome the tug of people against you as you reach for high goals.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

The test of success is not what you do when you are on top. Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the unforeseeable and the unpredictable.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

If you tell people where to go, but not how to get there, you’ll be amazed at the results.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Do your damnedest in an ostentatious manner all the time.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

If we take the generally accepted definition of bravery as a quality which knows no fear, I have never seen a brave man. All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

We herd sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

If a man does his best, what else is there?

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

All very successful commanders are prima donnas and must be so treated.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Better to fight for something than live for nothing.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision. That’s the time to listen to every fear you can imagine! When you have collected all the facts and fears and made your decision, turn off all your fears and go ahead!

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

A piece of spaghetti or a military unit can only be led from the front end.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn’t give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Always do everything you ask of those you command.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)

Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.

George S. Patton

United States Army general (1885-1945)