"Discipline is simply the art of making the soldiers fear their officers more than the enemy"
- Claude Adrien Helvetius
About this Quote
This quote by Claude Adrien Helvetius speaks to the value of discipline in the armed force. Discipline is vital for a successful military, as it guarantees that soldiers are able to follow orders and collaborate as a cohesive system. Helvetius recommends that discipline is achieved by making the soldiers fear their officers more than the opponent. This fear of the officers is what motivates the soldiers to comply with orders and remain concentrated on the mission. The worry of the officers also serves to keep the soldiers in line and prevent them from taking part in any behavior that might be destructive to the mission. Ultimately, Helvetius' quote suggests that discipline is important for an effective military, and that it is achieved by instilling a sense of worry in the soldiers.