Monumental Figures

Hannibal (247-183 BC)

Carthaginian tactician. His epic expedition across the Alps almost destroyed a superpower at the time with poor resources, demonstrating the great potential of personal will. The double envelopment tactics he employed in the Battle of Cannae (8/2, 216 BC) with an inferior and outnumbered army remains a military classic.

Kusunoki, Masashige (楠木 正成, 1294-1336)

Ultimate model of samurai loyalty.

Would that I had seven lives to give for my emperor! (七生報國! 1336/7/4)

Michel de Ruyter (1607-1676)

Dutch admiral. A man cementing a split small state in face of the challenges from great powers.

George Washington (1732-1799)

Thank to his precedence, many (but not all) people around the world do not need to endure their "rulers" for longer than two terms. What a big grace!

Akiyama, Saneyuki (秋山 真之, 1868-1918)

Japanese naval tactician. He is best known for masterminding the overwhelming victory of the Japanese Combined Fleet against the Russian Baltic Fleet in the Sea Battle of Tsushima (1905/5/27).

Huang, Hsing (黃 興, 1874-1916)

Front-line commander during the Chinese anti-Monarchy Revolution. He volunteered to take the risky field command and passed the leadership of Tongmenghui (同盟會, the key revolutionary organization) to Dr. Sun Yet-Sen. He was distanced from the power and the wealth after the success of revolution.

Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor. He was imprisoned in Concentration Camps from 1938 to 1945, narrowly escaping from execution. His poem "First they came...." depicts the grave consequences caused by the silence of conscience.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Basil Henry Liddell Hart (1895-1970)

Military historian and theorist. Advocate the indirect approach.

In strategy, the longest way round is often the shortest way there.

Henning von Tresckow (1901-1944)

Mastermind of the "Valkyrie Plan" against the Nazi regime.

God promised Abraham He would not destroy Sodom if just ten righteous men could be found in the city, and so I hope that for our sake God will not destroy Germany. (1944/7/21)

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

South African anti-apartheid revolutionary. Establish the "Truth and Reconciliation Commission" to investigate the past human rights abuses.

Yitzhak Rabin (1922-1995)

Used to be one of the toughest commanders in the Israel Army, he devoted to the peace talk with the Palestinian in an attempt to stop the cyclic tragedy.

Your shouts (from 100,000 demonstrators) are no match to the wail of a mother crying for her fallen son.

Václav Havel (1936-2011)

Architect of Charter 77 (1977). Support peaceful split between Czech and Slovakia despite of his personal opposition (1992). Voice for the rights of Tibetans and Taiwanese in face of China.

Hugh Thompson Jr. (1943-2006)

A US Army warrant officer and helicopter pilot trying to stop My Lai Massacre committed by the ground force in Vietnam (1968/3/16). He bravely testified against the perpetrators under the prevailing condemnation and ostracism.

Aung San Suu Kyi (1945-)

Graceful giant. Spiritual leader of Burman democracy (1990-2016).

Cheng, Nan-jung (鄭 南榕, 1947-1989)

Fight for the 100% freedom of speech in Taiwan.

KMT cannot arrest me but my dead body! (1989/1/27)