GeneralShepard
218329
6729
85
Jul 7, 2018 12:19 PM
GeneralShepard
218329
6729
85
StartedAtTheBottomNeverLeft
That's a goat. I would know.
RandalDoggie
what if the sheep are being led by a giant orange douche bag?
CallMeSleeper
But. An ARMY of lions would shred the sheep and the ONE lion leading them.
Artimak
Not if the sheep leading the lions ordered their retreat or surrender. Look at the Battles of Issus & Gaugamela for the historical context.
CallMeSleeper
I meant it quite literally. Animals you know. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
PooPculture
That isn't an African proverb. It's an old European one usually attributed to Alexander the Great, which he probably never said.
Artimak
Even if he didn't personally say it, the quote was most likely a reflection upon events at Alexander's Battles of Issus and Guagamela.
GodEmperor0fMankind
"A good leader can bring out the best in bad followers. A bad leader brings out the worst in good followers."
HenryHolmes101
Is this opposite day or the day of opposites
OhSureNowYouTellMe
...our current political leadership seems to be the latter.
BababaMoooya1
Neato
Walffles420
.
mike1rzbk8
Well yeh,but that leader sheep is a bad dude!
JayEnfield
"It's a lot easier to make nothing out of something, than something out of nothing."
fullblownSatan
They're probably playing XCOM 2
ashleypomeroy
An army of sheep with squadsight snipers and ghost-armoured alloy cannon assault sheep can do a lot of damage.
Elroydb
You don't realize how much damage they can do once they get mind controlled
muscletank
what about a goat in chagre of tigers or a squirrel in chagre or chickens
grendelgetskilledinthend
A velociraptor leading a herd of tyrannosaurs.
hedgehogsinhats
You're asking the real questions
winkyroomba
I’ll take the squirrel and chickens.
JHawke
If the goat can get the chickens organized enough for targeted attacks, I'm voting chickens hands down.
muszynski
1000 lions without proper leadership would easily turn on eachother for a kill and it could devastate itself pretty easily
Popprstoppr
OHH SHEEEP! Here come the lions.
LazyLexiconographer
Taking figurative speech literally . . . the oldest IQ test . .
AlrightKeepYourSecrets
The message is a lot more truthful than the literal phrase
topnotchtexan
A humble leader that invests in his troops/peoples strength, versus a leader that keeps his troops/people weak to feed his own strength.
Flyndaran
Leaders are leaders and warriors are warriors. The skill sets are completely different.
Artimak
Almost every army in history consists of ranked leadership. You're saying Alexander wasn't both leader and warrior? Napoleon? Khan?
LeoTheDude
Someone is going to eat the sheep, then they'll be led by a lion.
JamesSloop
I have a sneaky feeling the lions and sheep aren't actual lions and sheep.
TiroDvD
You aren't butterflies, you are MURDER FLIES. .... now let's see what this; cocoon can do.
AllTheGoodOnesWereGone
It's very different when you're talking about a literal sheep vs. a metaphorical sheep.
badspellling
Ah, yes. African leadership. So many good examples. Oh, wait...
Captainplanetmotherfucker
African Proverb? I'm not buying it.
QuotesBecausePeopleDontTrustStrangers
If you're being led by a sheep, you're not a damn lion.
HugNiceman
Yeah...this ain’t an African proverb.
Inkfinger
This is literally the dumbest fucking proverb.
Artimak
Not at all. Battles throughout history have hinged upon the decision making of leaders. A small, weak force can win with better tactics.
Inkfinger
No I get it, I get it. It's just a really bad analogy lol
mike1rzbk8
It’s all about the leadersheep
HesGotTwoFirstNames
DriverIRQnotlessOrEqual
There might be a reason why that goat got the promotion over Lion Joe over in marketing.
Sionas
I get what the proverb was trying to say but yea any sheep that controls lions is one hell of a sheep.
caterpillar88
I agree
hapyfeet
Not baaaaaad
hungitalianohwaitthisisntgrindr
Enquidou
Yeah, meritocracy was a real game-changer! It's hard to see, with hindsight, how we didn't see that. But still we struggle with the concept.
strugglesnuggler
Since when have we been in a meritocracy? Bosses still focus on promoting those who do the most bootlicking.
Enquidou
I didn't say "true meritocracy" just "meritocracy" & that's largely correct. Yes, still: "workers unite!", but it's not a feudal system
WizardofAnus
Most english-speaking people live in countries that make more effort towards being a meritocracy than has ever been done before, and
WizardofAnus
those same countries are continually making slow but sure strides forward toward that goal. Maybe not today, or even this decade, but
WizardofAnus
We keep pushing forward, so that our children, and their children, may live to see the dream we held. So is it perfect? No. And it won't
RhymingEverything
Or maybe the lions are just a bunch of pussies...
somenerandom
Also while it works metaphorically, yeah no 1000 lions still trump 1000 sheep.
LRHJr
That was the point of the post, but yes
RecurringNightmare
the problem in military is that the private lions do not elect the lieutenant sheep...
13thMortamer
The Andrewsarchus was a precursor to sheep. They could lead the army.
otakon17
Hell Sheep probably.
kranchan
Black Phillip!
ellekitty
Thats definitely a hell sheep in that picture there. It's either Baphomet, or close
LiterallyHitlersLeftNut
That’s Satan’s left hand man
JHawke
I tried to find it but couldn't fast.. In one of the older Terry pratchett books (strata) there is a nice quote about a small person >
JHawke
> leading an army off a boat that would fit so well :(
NorwegianPine
Got some big old lion ball on that sheep.
Artimak
I believe this quote is usually attributed to Alexander the Great.
Crossark
Wait, you mean to tell me a quote on the internet has a dubious and debated attribution?!
zombiebatman
Yeah but historians agree he was a lion so obviously a bit biased.
Tornadotaco
Alexander the Goat*
coolkidwestern
They tried to associate him with Amun the goat god just after he died
TheBrochacho
Still fits
BGonz
The Greatest of all time. Alexander the great. Why Yes Bro it sure do
Quantumkittens
To give his enemies a false sense of security and superiority when they encounter his goat led army of lions, yes.
theIdris
Upvoted you to 666. I feel so accomplished.
KingOfTheAnarchists
He DID conquer much of Northern Africa...
Artimak
Well, I wouldn't really say he conquered it. He marched into Egypt and they basically surrendered to him and declared him Pharaoh.
KingPugTato
Only Egypt, which lets be honest, isn’t really that much of North Africa
sombrerohorsewagon
I always heard Genghis Khan
Artimak
That would be an odd comment for him to make as lions are almost entirely African. I would think the tiger more geographically fitting.
SpaceLamb
Yeah I heard that in the wrath of the khans
artistandascholar2000
Khaaaaaannnnns!
CopperMarbles
Was he in Africa when he said it?
goodjobmyfellowman
I bless the rains there
Wellthatwasweird
SoyDivision
goodjobmyfellowman
I like your reaction so much more than my comment.
cortezthekillerz
Did he know Trump?
MemeDissector
few years too late maybe
PooPculture
Yeah mate Alexander the Great and Trump are good buddies. Wtf are you talking about?
DoctorDudeBruh
Tremendous friends. The best of friends. They made friendship great again.
Arbitrarynamehere
Frederick Douglas
Counterfit
*Douglass
36roentgen
Pretty sure they were drinking buddies if I remember correctly.
BannedbyastupidMod
this is why no one likes you
SaikyoStyle
Literally what relevancy does Trump have here?
IHaveAMemeForThis
Downvoting political shit like
dalaiyoda
"I believe this quote is usually attributed to Alexander the Great." -- Oscar Wilde.
Jollytothegreen
I thought it was from Alexander the Pretty Good
squishcat
naming my dog alexander the good.
rosyfingereddawn
I found it in my copy of "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day". Always thought that was an odd choice by the author.
sonof
Did Africa appropriate it? More importantly, why is it important to know about the origin of an idea or statement? It’s either good or not
Artimak
Origin can offer meaningful historical context. Look up Alexander's Battles at Issus & Gaugamela and you'll know what I mean immediately.
sonof
And most often a quote is simply some wisdom that applies to all context and needs none.
hapyfeet
What did he do that was so great?
Artimak
(2) Bactria, and India to the Indus River, created Hellenistic Culture (combining the best elements of the places he conquered), and built
SunsetBvd
He made a lot of people cooler
Artimak
Commander at 16, King at 20, put down a Theban revolt and settled the Greek city-states, conquered Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, Persia, (1)
CyanXiphos
Dude conquered half the world never lost a fucking battle and all this by the age of his mid 30s'...
Artimak
(3) dozens of cities to allow the flowering of said culture, the most important of which was Alexandria, Egypt. This city alone housed the
Artimak
(4) world's largest library, museum, botanical garden, zoo, and the Pharos, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. All by age 32/33.
LRHJr
He was one of the first leaders to make use of propaganda, so a lot of what is said about him should be taken with a grain of salt. Fact.
LRHJr
Other than that he was a great strategist and stuff
TyrantJester
Other than that? I'd say the use of propaganda would be part of strategy, don't you think?
LRHJr
Political strategy, yes. Not military strategy, which is what he is generally praised for, but you have a point.
LordIsmail
Good use of the word fact to make a fact of the fact that your fact was fact.
LRHJr
I had some space left. Fact
Notme68
Fact
sonof
Your statement is fact filled
infiniteflux
He trademarked "Alexander the Great" So no other Alexander's could use it.
Rezol
The first known record of anyone actually calling him that is from over a century after his death.
HeAGudGuy
Be a stratetic and tactical genius and have a lasting influence on western warfare for millenia. Also murder. A lot.
Sauroctonus
Well, apparently the conquering was kibda his hobby, and his ruling skills were lacking. Also, dysentry.
DudePlayinADudeDisguisedAsAnotherDude
Don’t forget the lovin’ of the youthful young men.
Deunderscoremoralize
And subsequent std and death
relicen
He got sick and died in the span of less than 2 weeks. Which STD is that deadly? He got sick from a regular disease or was poisoned.
UnworthyBeatrix
He was Greek, yes.
doesntmatter
Don't let the ancient Greek hear you say that though
DudePlayinADudeDisguisedAsAnotherDude
Macedonian*
natabus
It makes sense that a famous leader said this, as it grossly overestimates the value of leadership :)
Artimak
(1) I might be inclined to agree with you, but if you look up Alexander and Emperor Darius at the Battles of Issus and Gaugamela, you'll
Artimak
(2) immediately understand the context and relevance of the quote, and also its significance in terms of his command style and tactics.
Jensaw101
Consider the time - news travels slow, communication taking place with horns and flags. An indecisive leader could and did ruin campaigns.
natabus
Consider an Army of Lions, Facing an Army of sheep. 3 lions take out sheep-army leader, 3 to 1. Lion army then eats sheep army.
natabus
I said that the the metaphor over states the value of leadership. Not that leadership has no effect.
Jensaw101
In the metaphor, sheep and lions refer to the temperaments of men. If we want to deal with the animals, we should say they don't form armies
TheAnswerIsTheMoops
Sums up a lot of why Africa is in the state it’s in.
DimensionMaster
Having a hard time drawing the parallel to 'whites coming in a fucking everything up'.
Sionas
Damn man, no chill in that comment
GoldFrieza
How so?
williamrichards
Cultural emphasis on physical ability and machismo nonsense rather than technological advancement or education is my guess.
grendelgetskilledinthend
Colonialism fucked up lots of things but but Africa today is it’s own responsibility and worst enemy frankly. Mindsets there are medieval.
regicidalveggie
How does it sum up colonial exploitation and Cold War support for dictatorial regimes?
ladias11
And lack of resources
williamrichards
If you think those are the primary reasons many African nations are such hellholes, you've never been there and are ignorant of history.
TheAnswerIsTheMoops
Different conversation.That proverb predates colonial intervention & sums up a delusional & forever unorganized philosophy of small thinking
elucca
A proverb that probably isn't African sums up how all African cultures act and think?
valinnut
How does commenting on the importance of good leadership represent small thinking?If they'd said Winston Churchill said it all would applaud
elucca
Usually they say Alexander the Great said this and everyone applauds. When it's attributed to Africans it's immediately dumb. Hmm.
Diddykongkey
If you believe that those are actually the main reason Africa struggles you’ve never been there and talked to them.
regicidalveggie
True. I’d love to know more about it though
valinnut
Why? What did they say to you?
Diddykongkey
They have several internal factors that interrupt their progress. At least in Kenya. 1/2
Diddykongkey
I.e. It’s actually amazing to see how much simple education about how to properly bring goods to market can transform individual lives.
medici
You need less leadership when you have sheep-crushing jaws and 3" long claws of your own.
IfItFitsInYourMouthItBelongsThere
*leadersheep
JediArchitect
Why does this not have more points?
Neeeeep
* fewer
ImaginarySuccess
You might be right but "less" sounds better here. Just my opinion.
Neeeeep
Lol, no not at all - you're definitely correct and I was being a reverse grammar Nazi
Threecatsoftheapocalypse
I saw what you did up there. Sensible half chortle.
APieceOfFuckingShit
Leadership is not something you can count. "Fewer leadership" is grammatical incorrect, and just sounds fucking dumb. Dumbass.
APieceOfFuckingShit
Fuck. I meant grammatically. Dumbass.
zatoichi007
Username checks out
NorwegianPine
This would explain why the various African Military have been so dominant.
stabbedintheface
Not the Democratic republic of the people's liberation army!
Necropoledancer
TBF, the Zulus were pretty bad ass. They fought well against Brits even with a massive technological disadvantage
Sionas
Fuckin hell lmao
FlashBambi
Like in the Battle of Omdurman
MemeDissector
VENGEANCE FOR RHODESIA
NAPSTABLOOK22
Yea they shouldn’t be allowed to use sheep in war
RisingPhoenix92
But pigs lit on fire, thats ok
Filanwizard
But you can use sheep in Warcraft, Explosive sheep to be exact...
infiniteflux
This is like shitting on ancient Greek philosophers because Greece is in the tank now.
NorwegianPine
Yes, but africanier
williamrichards
As opposed to all the other times in history where tribal Africa was doing great?
infiniteflux
look up the kingdoms of Mali, Songhai, Timbuktu, Nubia, Kush, Congo, Ethiopia, Benin and the city state of Kilwa.
williamrichards
All Arab states or classic examples of being the tallest midget. The exception possibly being Ethiopia who traded extensively with Europe.
Begotten
They ruled the world until the world actually found them. Just like the Amerindians.
5omeWhiteGuy
Africa? Ruled the world?
Begotten
Did you...not get the joke?
Simsimillia
you know Africa wasn't just a bunch savages in the prairie or jungle until Europeans rolled in and took it over.
williamrichards
The non-Islamic African nations were pretty much what you are describing. The outcomes of the colonial wars made that very clear.
Simsimillia
that doesn't say much about social or governmental systems. Only that they were military inferior.
infiniteflux
the capital of Congo was described by a dutch explorer in the 1600s as having cleaner and wider streets than the Netherlands.
TheThingsTheyCarried
With the exceptions of the Mali empire and the far eastern coasts, Sub-Saharan Africa *were* effectively just tribes of randos.
infiniteflux
the Kingdoms of Benin and Congo were pretty dope,
Simsimillia
There was also the Wolof Empire and several others. You can look up a list on Wikipedia.
REV076
WAKANDA WOHOOOOOOOOO
doomjazzftw
Not sure why blacks think it’s a boon to be depicted as backward savages whose only source of tech they got by accident.
Filanwizard
General Jack O'Neill would make them change their staff weapons for a weapon of war though. ;)
XeononSolomon
Just have to aim for the rope
derschweiz
Look up Shaka Zulu.
TheThingsTheyCarried
Ah yes, the man who said written language served no purpose.
derschweiz
The topic was military might, not other elements of his personality, which was brutal and short-sighted dominance.
TheThingsTheyCarried
The man shunned all forms of technology. What happened when technology met his people?
derschweiz
Objectively he had the strongest and most effective pre-colonial African military. Of course he had some issues that lead to his downfall.
BoredPedanticAsshole4
Shhh! The 14 year olds of Imgur only get so much weekend screen time, and they need it all to be racist edgelords.
5omeWhiteGuy
? Shaka is a well known person. He's known for uniting alot of Africa then ruining everything once his mom died.
TheThingsTheyCarried
Look, just because your high school football team went 14-0 and won the state title doesn't mean they can compete in the NFL.
5omeWhiteGuy
You mean the guy who made a country out of tribes then killed his own people when his mom died?
TheScotchKraut
Look up the British Empire.
KatyS
Belgium bitches
vwyx
I mean, I'm with you, but look up Carthage.
TheThingsTheyCarried
Carthage developed from the Phoenicians, who were from the Middle East.
vwyx
But they were in Africa, and thus an African military.
derschweiz
Every civilization faces its ruin in some way or another, does that diminish its accomplishments?
strudlpoop
Yes
TheScotchKraut
No, but the Zulu got cocky and thought the Brits were too weak after the Boer wars. It was an error in judgement on their part.
derschweiz
Yea, but also the brits has massively superior technology and tactics. I’m impressed they even put up that much of a fight at all.
Rosfmmmhzdrozzley
Look up dickhole fingering
sgtsyphilis
TheScotchKraut
I'm good, but thanks for the offer
OneUglyMuthaFukka
No thank you
Immck1919
Look up Isandlwana
TheThingsTheyCarried
Ah yes, 10-1 odds in favor of the Zulu. Quite the strategic victory...
Treybetrey
Look up Hiroshima
NoDancePants
Look up Alderaan
Manthor
Oh shiiit , serve returned
BenderBendingRrodriguez
Look up
newaccountcauseigotbanned
Look up rice farmers....
DarthClitoris
Lol I love that stupid argument
LiterallyHitlersLeftNut
TheBrochacho
Ooooooohhhhhh
XeononSolomon
They never got Ethiopia
lucaxm
*Assyria
TheChurchOfUpvote
ww2 disagrees
BuzzKiIlington
*whispers* but they never got Thailand
williamrichards
That's not correct. Before World War 2, Italy conquered Ethiopia. Britain liberated them from Italy as part of the fighting in Africa.
ComanderoftheShepard
Tell that to Italy
LlamaLingo
Wrong. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia
TheScotchKraut
Well, they got the government. The tribal peoples kicked Italian ass left, right, and center.
JasonForge
Sauce for those who don't get it - https://youtu.be/xuCn8ux2gbs - 15:41 specifically for proper introduction
RiskItForATotalBiscuit
https://youtu.be/xuCn8ux2gbs?t=15m41s
Perkunas687
That was pretty neat. Thanks for sharing!
BorealPrince
Godamn that was awesome
Fedotia
Italians never got anything. Send in the brits or the frenches for results.
ZanarkandAbes
Italy attacked with planes, tanks and plantains and still couldn't break the Ethiopian lines.
justvenomcake
They did break it. I've played enough HOI4 to know that.
hedgehogsinhats
Except for that time when they did and ran the place?
GreenLantern15
With the Germans doing all the work for them.
SgtPancakes
Except the Germans were sending materiel to the Ethiopians
SvartTe
Plantains? Like... Bananas?
acme64
plantains != bananas
Cayowin
Plantains = musa and banana = musa
BangusDangus
I mean if planes and tanks don't work, I'd probably say fuck it and throw fruit at them, too.
SkillerPenguin
Hehe
youmustbefunatparties
Knock knock, who's there? It's europe
kindy0100
Ethiopia Fended off Europe during the colonial days
CakesArePrettyGood
Until pizza pasta lasagna garlic bread arriver
HellaFishsticks
Knock knock, open up the door it's real
theHitchenator
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
You're not getting the point. The current potus is a clown. You do know that nobody in this world is impressed by threats of the US anymore.
stabbedintheface
Must be weird to live in world where everything can be linked to Trump in a single jump
Mockingbirb
AntoniusBlock33
This may schock you, but not everything on imgur is about the current USA Administration
bananafoen
Lel Everything you Americans post here is about you. When you have a holiday day imgur is unbearable. So it's very much your fault
AntoniusBlock33
Wow I am German, but yeah I am sure you are right and its somehow my fault...
5TUP1D
Triggered
heynongman4pres
I mean you’re correct about that, but it is a bit of a non-sequitur
mac821
"There's a time and a place for everything, and this ain't it."
Dangermouse5
Youre the guy at the restaurant thats like "yes, i would like the filet mignon, medium, with steamed veggies, and fuck Trump".
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
All the dumdum's here need need to understand metaphors. What I'm seeing:
v
pedromascal
You seem fun at parties
IHuggedaCorgiToday
he seems like the one friend you tolerate but try to hide from him when you're doing something
ablindbear
Dude how did you even get to this subject? Like if anyone is missing the point here, it's you amigo.
MySpiritAnimalIsTheUnpopularOpinionPuffin
What are you even getting at? No one is impressed by the threats? So far he called the bluff on NK and on Russia when Putin threatened to
MySpiritAnimalIsTheUnpopularOpinionPuffin
retaliate if we bombed Syria again after their latest chemical attack. The trade war is just a pissing match, not a threat.
Dusk17
And everyone else is getting soaked.
Findingabetterway
Jeez, you're damn right we are and it sucks.
lordski
Who even mentioned Trump?
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
I should've lead with 'for example...'
Begotten
I don't think anyone has ever lived rent free in more peoples heads before
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
A sheep is leading a nations of lions. Nobody in the world is taking the USA seriously anymore.
MySpiritAnimalIsTheUnpopularOpinionPuffin
Look, I hate Trump and his unhinged lies like everyone else. But you are off on a tangent people can't follow. He is a sheep leading sheep,
MySpiritAnimalIsTheUnpopularOpinionPuffin
with a few wolves in sheeps clothing mixed in.
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
you're calling US Congress sheeps, I wouldn't go there. They just are following orders, you seen what happens when they don't follow orders.
williamrichards
Who's scarier to be in an elevator with, a short tempered moron with a gun or a calm well reasoned individual with a gun?
Findingabetterway
The well reasoned individual with a gun. Duh
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
Or check the trade war. European Countries, China and Russia are all hitting the US back. This would never happen under Obama or the others
GeorgeHWBushsGhost
I don't know what they placed tariffs on but remember, they aren't extreme consumerist societies like us. Those vendors can just lower >
GeorgeHWBushsGhost
< their prices here to compensate for the tariff loses and the American companies still profit. Something that other countries can't have.
CaffeineManic
EVERY economist predicts higher prices to the American consumer. But you do you.
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
Harley Davidson for example. And what happened, Harley Davidson will open shop in Europe. Less manufacturing in the USA and offcourse jobs.
positiveleroy
HenryHolmes101
Um. Threats or not. Still the biggest and strongest military in the world by far. Everyone better hope it doesn't get kicked into gear.
OlElonMusky
It’s not that I disagree with you but I have no idea why you’re talking about this
HeretiCorpHasAnDFAcannon
Like see the Iran deal. The USA chicked out but the G6 is still upholding the deal and will hit back if their companies will get boycott.
GeorgeHWBushsGhost
It's pretty much done. Roshan hasn't gathered enough support being that Iranians are mad at him for trusting the US, the Treasury has made >
GeorgeHWBushsGhost
< a very simple statement saying that dealing with Iranian companies will end bad, and that Iran is demanding extremely one-sided >
GeorgeHWBushsGhost
< economic relief in order to keep the deal with European countries.
jaychay
No one is disputing what you are saying. They are disputing why you are saying it. We aren't talking metaphors here.
Luciferswings
I think we read your comment the first time.
THEDrules
Clown though he may be, that's driven by his pragmatism. Also every fuckin body and their brother are scared shitless of the us. More below
THEDrules
The fact China hasn't attacked yet should tell u that as they have about 1.3 billion people to our 325 million. We are more advanced than
THEDrules
Anyone else in the world, and they know that. We are top dog, and will remain so for the foreseeable future. MERICA! FUCK YEAH!!
heynongman4pres
Chinese GDP will be larger than ours and increasingly so in the next 5 years. We will have to spend a >% of GDP on defense to keep up.
heynongman4pres
All that to say, I’m a proud American but we are facing serious problems and it doesn’t help to have a distracted man-child in charge.
heynongman4pres
Which means our national debt will get worse and the public services should feted by govt as well, which will increase inequality
heynongman4pres
Increased economic inequality coupled with a lack of normality in politics means internal social and political strife.