我把军官分为四类——聪明的、懒惰的、愚蠢的和勤奋的。聪明而懒惰的人适合最高的命令。他有处理所有情况的气质和必要的勇气。那些聪明又勤奋的人适合担任高级职员。愚蠢和懒惰的人是可以利用的。但谁又愚蠢又勤奋,就必须立即除掉。 -库尔特·冯·哈默斯坦-埃科德男爵将军,德国陆军司令部司令 {1930–33}
(I divide officers into four classes-the clever, the lazy, the stupid, and the industrious. The man who is clever and lazy is fit for the very highest commands. He has the temperament and the requisite nerves to deal with all situations. Those who are clever and industrious are fitted for the high staff appointments. Use can be made of those who are stupid and lazy. But whoever is stupid and industrious must be removed immediately. -General Baron Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord, German Chief of Army Command {1930–33})