将在外君命有所不受

English translation: a general in the field is not bound by the orders from his sovereign

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Chinese term or phrase:	将在外君命有所不受
English translation:	a general in the field is not bound by the orders from his sovereign
Entered by:	Di Wu (X)

14:49 Oct 12, 2008

Chinese to English translations [PRO]
Military / Defense

Chinese term or phrase: 将在外君命有所不受

This is a well known Chinese phrase, seeking your collective wisdom for the best translation.

Di Wu (X) KudoZ activity Questions: 16 (none open) Answers: 11
Local time: 16:42

a general in the field is not bound by the orders from his sovereign

Explanation:
see "hanying cidian"

Selected response from:

peter arnout
Belgium
Local time: 22:42

Grading comment

This is the most accurate translation within the context I'm looking for.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

A field general may disobey the King's order.

Mark Chen

a general in the field is not bound by the orders from his sovereign

peter arnout

A general in the field should exercise good discretion with regard to orders from his superior.

keepdancing

A field commander must decide even against king's orders.

nimravus

Freedom of Action for a Field General

Gertrude Tsau

Answers

14 mins confidence:

A field commander must decide even against king's orders.

Explanation:
fyi.

nimravus
China
Local time: 04:42
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Chinese

25 mins confidence:

Freedom of Action for a Field General

Explanation:
Freedom of Action for a Field General
http://www.chinahistoryforum.com/index.php?showtopic=16254

Gertrude Tsau
United States
Local time: 15:42
Native speaker of: Chinese

32 mins confidence:

A field general may disobey the King's order.

Explanation:
FYI.

Mark Chen
Local time: 04:42
Native speaker of: Chinese

3 hrs confidence:

a general in the field is not bound by the orders from his sovereign

Explanation:
see "hanying cidian"

peter arnout
Belgium
Local time: 22:42
Native speaker of: Dutch
PRO pts in category: 8

Grading comment

This is the most accurate translation within the context I'm looking for.

18 days confidence:

A general in the field should exercise good discretion with regard to orders from his superior.

Explanation:
“将在外君命有所不受”虽然表面上多半是指“不受君命”，但实质上这句话是指身为将军，应当根据战场形势和自己的分析做出相对独立的决断，对于上峰指示应当有所取舍。讲这句话，为将者并不是有意不受君命，否则形同犯上作乱。

Example sentence(s):

The captain had to act on his own discretion in that area given the complexity of the situation.

keepdancing
Australia
Local time: 06:42
Native speaker of:

Chinese

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将在外君命有所不受

English translation: a general in the field is not bound by the orders from his sovereign

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将在外君命有所不受

English translation: a general in the field is not bound by the orders from his sovereign

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