"Then, again, the ability to organize and conduct industrial, commercial, or financial enterprises is rare; the great captains of industry are as rare as great generals"

This quote by William Graham Sumner speaks to the rarity of individuals who possess the capability to organize and perform industrial, business, or monetary business. Sumner is suggesting that these people, often described as "terrific captains of market," are as unusual as great generals. This implies that the abilities and capabilities required to be successful in business world are simply as hard to obtain as the abilities and abilities needed to be successful in the military world. Sumner is stressing the problem of achieving success in the business world and the rarity of those who are able to do so. He is suggesting that the terrific captains of industry are scarce, which it takes an unique sort of specific to be effective in this field.