"That was my first lesson from Ben-Gurion. Then I saw him making peace, and I saw him making war. He mobilized me before the war. The man was a very rare combination between a real intellectual and a born leader. There is a contradiction between the two"

This quote by Shimon Peres speaks to the unique qualities of Israel's very first Prime Minister, David Ben-Gurion. Peres saw Ben-Gurion as an uncommon mix of an intellectual and a born leader. He was able to both make peace and make war, and was able to set in motion people before the war. This quote speaks with the complexity of Ben-Gurion's character, as it is typically difficult to reconcile the 2 qualities of being an intellectual and a leader. Peres' very first lesson from Ben-Gurion was that it is possible to be both. Ben-Gurion was able to think critically and tactically, while likewise being able to inspire and lead people. This quote speaks to the power of Ben-Gurion's leadership and the enduring impact he had on Peres and individuals of Israel.