Citation: Strategists and Commanders

The rigid leader will almost always fail on the battlefield, for it is a fluid beast fuelled by Fire and Water, burning and drowning at the same time.
By contrast, if a commander is open to ideas, whether from his messenger, or his second-in-command, then survivability is markedly increased.
In Defeat
While it is normal for a leader to fall, or be deposed, in defeat, this is not always for the betterment of a defeated nation. If a nation can be "fluid fire", then all ideas are welcomed - and both victory and defeat are results of cooperation of lack thereof. A nation should bear the burden of its own demise, not merely its (probably former) leadership.
In Victory
In the case of victory, a leader must not claim all credit where it belongs to the community. Doing so may spark an internal war for which they are unprepared. Equally, if a ruler's insight turns the tide, the nation must celebrate their commander's wisdom.
Name Not the Tacticians
When the annals of battle are recorded, however, a nation is stronger if the names of strategy-creators are witheld. An enemy will fear a united foe, but if a tactician is celebrated, all it may take when the battle lines are drawn once more is for the tactician to be eliminated. A nation may prevail if her ruler falls in battle, but it will fall if those who can devise strategies are removed from the equation.
A clueless army need not be defeated by weapons, but by rationale and sound argument.
There is strength in anonymity, and in placing the Greater Order above one's own existence.

Mykanza Gyrz
"A Theory of Displacement"
Chapter Three ("Strategists and Commanders"), page 22
AFD 505, Shevezz City

Medium

Papyrus

Authoring Date

AFD 505