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Gen. George Patton: Six not-so-gentle father-to-son tips

The new book, 'Growing Up Patton: Reflections on Heroes, History, and Family Wisdom,' shares letters written by Gen. George Patton to his his son. Here are six pieces of advice from these letters.

3. On choosing friends: no 'buddies' or 'harmless larks'

  • By Anna Mulrine Staff writer

"You must dispense with friends or 'buddies.' Be friendly but let the other man make the advances. Your own classmates – the worthless ones will tease you about [it] – admit it.

"I repeat ... you must be a man not a boy and you must never let up working. You must not be a good fellow or join in 'harmless larks.' They are the result of an unstable mind.

"You will probably have no choice in initial roommates or tent mates. But keep looking for a quiet studious boy or boys for roommates in the winter. The older the men you can pick the better as roommates. It is usually best not to live with your friends – that makes you lose them. Remember you are a lone wolf.

"If some little fart hazes you don’t get mad. Do what he says and take it out on someone else next year.

"...Well, we are really proud of you for the first time in your life, see to it that we stay that way."

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Mark Sappenfield
Editor

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