"Strange that so few come to the woods to see how the pine lives and grows and spires, lifting its evergreen arms to the light – to see its perfect success."
~ Henry David Thoreau ~

Genghis Khan   

Genghis Khan (1167-1227) was the creator and leader of the Mongolian Empire. His original name was Temjin and was left an orphan at the age of 9. Growing up in conditions of great hardship, he was taken prisoner and then later escaped. Temjin became the protg of Toghril, the ruler of the Kereits, a Christian tribe in central Mongolia. A rift developed between them and they parted company. It was at this time that certain of the Mongol princes acclaimed Temjin as their ruler, bestowing upon him the title by which he is known in history, Chingiz-Khan (Genghis Khan), which mans "Universal Monarch."

Genghis Khan's history is one filled with brutality and war. With many enemies in western Mongolia, he battled until his was declared the undisputed supreme ruler of the Mongol people in 1206. This allowed Genghis Kahn to switch his focus on the conquest of foreign nations. Genghis Khan's campaigns and those of his descendants led to the creation of an immense empire that stretched from Hungary to Korea.

Leadership is the ability of a person to lead, inspire and mobilize masses to act in unison, in pursuit of a common goal. Genghis Khan is one such leader who brought different tribes under the Mongolian flag and then expanded his empire across Asia, right up to the Adriatic Sea. He conquered almost half the world claiming and achieving the top spot among world conquerors. It is unfortunate that this man of substance and valor is known only for his exploits and the trail of destruction that he left behind after his conquests.


"Not even a mighty warrior can brake a frail arrow when it is multiplied and supported by its fellows. As long as you brothers support one another and render assistance to one another, your enemies can never gain the victory over you. But if you fall away from each other your enemy can brake you like frail arrows, one at a time."

"The strength of a wall is neither greater nor less than the courage of the men who defend it."

"Oh people, know that you have committed great sins. If you ask me what proof I have for these words, I say it is because I am the punishment of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you!"

"The merit of an action lies in finishing it to the end."

"Violence never settles anything."