In the Second Punic War that Rome and Carthage fought, the Roman general Scipio defeated the Carthaginian general Hannibal. The victory saved Rome and decimated the Carthaginians. Hannibal had been fighting in Italy and had caused Rome considerable grief over the years, but Scipio took the offensive, traveled to North Africa, and marched on Carthage. The move forced Hannibal to sail back across the Mediterranean to defend his city. The two armies were relatively equal, but Hannibal also had trained war elephants. Scipio, however, panicked the elephants, outmaneuvered Hannibal’s men, and routed the Carthaginians. Hannibal, seeing his army in retreat and defeat, fled.
The two generals met on neutral turf (or sand) years later in Syria. Scipio asked Hannibal to name the greatest generals. Hannibal ranked Alexander the Great first, Pyrrhus, one of Rome’s previous enemies, second, and himself as the third greatest general. In his ranking, Hannibal sang his own praises by listing his many victories.
The Roman general then asked Hannibal if his opinion might be different had he defeated Scipio in their epic battle. In a subtle compliment, Hannibal said that had he won that battle, he would rank himself first over all other generals who ever led armies. Scipio must have been pleased.
A compliment in any form is still a compliment, but one grudgingly given speaks more of pride than praise. You might not win every battle, and one that you lose might be more to the credit of your opponent than to a weakness on your part. Sometimes you run into someone who is, at least for a moment or in a particular situation, better than you. Give praise where praise is due.
The two generals met on neutral turf (or sand) years later in Syria. Scipio asked Hannibal to name the greatest generals. Hannibal ranked Alexander the Great first, Pyrrhus, one of Rome’s previous enemies, second, and himself as the third greatest general. In his ranking, Hannibal sang his own praises by listing his many victories.
The Roman general then asked Hannibal if his opinion might be different had he defeated Scipio in their epic battle. In a subtle compliment, Hannibal said that had he won that battle, he would rank himself first over all other generals who ever led armies. Scipio must have been pleased.
A compliment in any form is still a compliment, but one grudgingly given speaks more of pride than praise. You might not win every battle, and one that you lose might be more to the credit of your opponent than to a weakness on your part. Sometimes you run into someone who is, at least for a moment or in a particular situation, better than you. Give praise where praise is due.
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