Chester Nimitz

"The only way to ensure victory is to prepare as if defeat is certain."

"A commander who does not know his subordinates personally cannot lead them effectively."

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it."

"The greatest victories often come when conditions seem most impossible."

"An officer must understand that his authority rests upon the consent of the governed."

"The future of a navy depends upon the quality of its officers and the character of its men."

"One must think like a man of action and act like a man of thought."

"A true leader takes responsibility for both success and failure."

"The sea teaches humility to all who venture upon it."

"Timing in war is everything; the right action at the wrong moment is disaster."

"A man who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new."

"The strength of an organization lies in the character of its people."

"One cannot achieve great things without taking great risks."

"The measure of a leader is not his position, but his influence."

"In war, the side that adapts faster usually prevails."

"A good officer makes his subordinates look good."

"The most important part of any battle is the moment before it begins."

"Men will fight and die for a leader they respect and trust."

"No military operation succeeds without the willing cooperation of all ranks."

"The true test of a leader comes in moments of crisis and uncertainty."

"An effective commander must be willing to make decisions with incomplete information."

"Victory belongs to those who believe in it the most."

"A nation's strength at sea depends upon the morale of its sailors."

"The ocean is an impartial judge of a sailor's skill and character."

"Preparation and luck are not mutually exclusive; they work together."

"A command should be clear, concise, and capable of being understood by all who receive it."

"The greatest danger in any organization is complacency born of success."

"A leader must inspire his men to believe that victory is not only possible but inevitable."

"The measure of success is not what you accomplish alone, but what you accomplish through others."

"In moments of decision, the best choice is often the boldest one."