Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter PilotThoughts on issues of character, leadership, integrity, personal and public virtue, and ethics, the selections in this volume converge around the central theme of how man can rise with dignity to prevail in the face of adversity—lessons just as valid for the challenges of present-day life as they were for the author's Vietnam experience. |
From inside the book
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Page 14
... called " Growth and Decay , " they state that what determines whether the challenge of history will or will not be met depends upon " the presence or absence of creative individuals with a clarity of mind and energy of will [ almost a ...
... called " Growth and Decay , " they state that what determines whether the challenge of history will or will not be met depends upon " the presence or absence of creative individuals with a clarity of mind and energy of will [ almost a ...
Page 19
... called " Good Friday " about the aftermath of Calvary . Some Roman soldiers who were in charge of the execution are drinking and talking of the events of the day . One soldier mumbles over and over , " I tell you , he looked pretty good ...
... called " Good Friday " about the aftermath of Calvary . Some Roman soldiers who were in charge of the execution are drinking and talking of the events of the day . One soldier mumbles over and over , " I tell you , he looked pretty good ...
Page 24
... called practical academic exercises in " how to do things " were useless in that fix . The classics have a way of saving you the trouble of prolonged experiences . You don't have to go out and buy pop psychology self - help books . When ...
... called practical academic exercises in " how to do things " were useless in that fix . The classics have a way of saving you the trouble of prolonged experiences . You don't have to go out and buy pop psychology self - help books . When ...
Page 27
... called honor . Although from many standpoints egoism is an impurity , and conscience alone would be nobler , he nevertheless acknowledged the utility and power of the blend . Egoism gives conscience staying power . " Honor , " writes ...
... called honor . Although from many standpoints egoism is an impurity , and conscience alone would be nobler , he nevertheless acknowledged the utility and power of the blend . Egoism gives conscience staying power . " Honor , " writes ...
Page 32
... called the American Leadership Forum . A few years ago he wrote a popular book entitled The Gamesman based on considerable data he had acquired in a study of how new technology was affecting society . Much of this data came from in ...
... called the American Leadership Forum . A few years ago he wrote a popular book entitled The Gamesman based on considerable data he had acquired in a study of how new technology was affecting society . Much of this data came from in ...
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Common terms and phrases
Admiral Air Force American prisoners asked aviators battle became bombing called carrier cell combat commander communist Congressional Medal courage course duty emotional Enchiridion enemy Epictetus Epictetus's ethics evil fear feel fighter pilot fighting flying friends going Gruters guilt Hanoi heart idea Japanese Kissinger knew Lance Lance Sijan later leader leadership learned leg irons lieutenant lives Medal of Honor Mike military mind months moral Naval Academy Naval War College never night North Vietnamese officer person Phil philosophy play political prison president pressure prisoners of war professor Rhinelander ropes senior sense shot Sijan solitary Stanford started Stockdale Stoic Stoicism stress Sybil talk tap code tell things thought told Tonkin Gulf Tonkin Gulf Resolution took torture troops trying U.S. Navy Vietnam Vietnam War virtue Washington William Bundy
Popular passages
Page 46 - I returned and saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
Page 231 - If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?
Page 37 - Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life, neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern...
Page 42 - If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
Page 215 - Remember that you are an actor in a drama of such sort as the author chooses, — if short, then in a short one ; if long, then in a long one. If it be his pleasure that you should enact a poor man, see that you act it well ; or a cripple, or a ruler, or a private citizen. For this is your business, to act well the given part; but to choose it, belongs to another.
Page 193 - If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades.
Page 37 - Give, therefore, thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people ?' And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Page 42 - If we are thrown into the blazing furnace , the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. '"But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Page 209 - A man that is born falls into a dream like a man who falls into the sea. If he tries to climb out into the air as inexperienced people endeavour to do, he drowns — nicht wahr?