"Where principle is involved, be deaf to expediency." is now written on a notecard and propped up by my computer next to my notecard with my favorite George Marshall quote: "The only way to begin is to commence." - ThreadSky

kateelliottsff.bsky.social • 25 days ago

"Where principle is involved, be deaf to expediency."

is now written on a notecard and propped up by my computer next to my notecard with my favorite George Marshall quote:

"The only way to begin is to commence."

Reposted from Don Moynihan

Two Naval Academy faculty members have resigned, and 18 more have taken early retirement. One was offered a place of honor at the annual dedication parade. He declined, telling the academy’s superintendent:

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geekelite.geekerific.com•25 days ago

Jeez, that's tattoo-worthy.

kateelliottsff.bsky.social•25 days ago

and in context it is really powerful

kateelliottsff.bsky.social•25 days ago

As I recall (my memory is hazy), the Marshall quote comes from WW1 when he was tasked with creating a complex logistic/battle plan, the kind it's difficult to know how to even start because of all the variables. He walked for about an hour, mind churning, then returned to his room & got to work.

kateelliottsff.bsky.social•25 days ago

I have referenced the Marshall quote in my own mind many times, especially when working on Sun 3 (still in progress) which is a deeply and at times seemingly impossibly complex narrative with so many interlocking parts.
Tho, to be clear, not the same as being responsible for so many real lives.

djeureka.bsky.social•25 days ago

Wait is this where “the only way to begin is by beginning” comes from on @gamechangershow.bsky.social?

kateelliottsff.bsky.social•25 days ago

I don't know. Probably not?
I stumbled across the quote in a biography of Marshall.

kateelliottsff.bsky.social•25 days ago

also I wanted to add that I prefer the Marshall quote because it isn't about any "beginning" which often can't be identified but simply the need to start the work somewhere, however daunting it may seem, so I find that more useful

djeureka.bsky.social•25 days ago

Technically the beginning specifically refers to the beginning of the game, but sometimes the game is that there’s a lie detector that’s actually just your significant other, so YMMV how inspiring the quote is

gnarlygeek.bsky.social•24 days ago

The quote may be even older than Marshall. The US Naval Institute attributes it to Commodore Mathew Maury in 1849. As it's in the Plebe's Bible, it's certain to have wormed its way deeply into Naval culture. https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2008/february/firing-roll-when-principle-involved

kateelliottsff.bsky.social•24 days ago

oh cool. Thanks!

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