Governance must be clean and transparent.
為政清明。
Military Strategists
Ōkubo Toshimichi
The ruthlessly effective architect of modern Japan who built the Meiji state's institutions while his more charismatic peers took the glory (1830-1878). Okubo Toshimichi proved that revolutions are won by warriors but consolidated by administrators — and that the builder of systems is more consequential than the hero of battles.
View this figure's profile
Ōkubo Toshimichi's Other Quotes
Related Quotes
Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.
-- George Orwell
He who cannot govern himself cannot govern others.
-- Genghis Khan
A conqueror must wield both the sword and the law.
-- Timur
To draw near the worthy and distance the petty -- this is why the Former Han flourished. To draw near the petty and distance the worthy -- this is why the Later Han declined.
-- Zhuge Liang
A general must be cautious in five things: reason, preparation, decisiveness, discipline, and restraint.
-- Wu Qi
Do not buy fertile fields for your children and grandchildren.
-- Saigō Takamori