“Illegitimis Non Carborundum”

(“Don’t let the bastards grind you down”)
General Joseph Stilwell

It is said that General Joseph “Vinegar Joe” Stilwell was a “caustic and “extremely cynical” man. He was also considered to be “misanthropic” (a person who hates or distrusts humankind: Webster’s dictionary). But, he didn’t hate everyone; he reserved his greatest disgust for those in the position of authority. Vinegar Joe did not find it easy to remain silent when he had to listen to a “political fool” or a “military buffoon”, which is probably why he was only a Brigadier General when he was sent to command the British and Chinese troops in the Eastern theatre of World War II. The pseudo-Latin quote referred to here, “Illegitimis non Carborundum”, was his motto.

I relate to General Stilwell’s attitude when confronted with unqualified people who have been promoted to the level of incompetence. In my working life I have been faced with many people in this position. Sometimes the only way to deal with them is to remember the words, “Illegitimis non Carborundum”,”Don’t let the bastards grind you down”.