The commander must establish personal and comradely contact with his men, but without giving away one inch of authority.

Erwin Rommel

There is one unalterable difference between a soldier and a civilian: the civilian never does more than he is paid to do.

Erwin Rommel

Always in a moment of extreme danger things can be done which had previously been thought impossible.

Erwin Rommel

For me, soldiers are all equal. Those black people wore your same uniform, fought on your side, and so you will be in the same jail.

Erwin Rommel

One must not judge everyone in the world by his qualities as a soldier: otherwise we should have no civilization.

Erwin Rommel

One cannot permit unique opportunities to slip by for the sake of trifles.

Erwin Rommel

A risk is a chance you take; if it fails you can recover. A gamble is a chance taken; if it fails, recovery is impossible.

Erwin Rommel

But courage which goes against military expediency is stupidity, or, if it is insisted upon by a commander, irresponsibility.

Erwin Rommel

When there's no clear option, it's better to do nothing.

Erwin Rommel

Messages can't be intercepted if they aren't sent, can they?

Erwin Rommel

In the absence of orders, go find something and kill it.

Erwin Rommel

No plan survives contact with the enemy.

Erwin Rommel