True Leadership Against Popular Opinion — War and Peace

Tolstoy defends Kutuzov against official histories that call him a frightened court liar who robbed Russia of complete victory at Krasnoe and the Berezina. The Emperor is dissatisfied; historians adore Napoleon and feel ashamed of Kutuzov. Yet Tolstoy argues no commander pursued a worthier or more fully accomplished aim: brace strength, defeat the French, drive them out while minimizing Russian suffering. Kutuzov wore no pose, told Rostopchin he would not abandon Moscow without a battle though Moscow was already gone, agreed with Arakcheev about Ermolov though he had just denied it, because words did not move him. Still he never spoke against his single purpose: Borodino was victory, Moscow's loss was not Russia's loss, maneuvers were useless, offer a golden bridge, do not sacrifice one Russian for ten Frenchmen, do not carry war beyond the frontier. His power came from national feeling that chose an old disfavored man to save lives rather than slay for spectacle. True greatness could not fit the European hero mold; to a lackey no man can be great because a lackey has his own conception of greatness.