One of the greatest military commanders of all times, Frederick the Great of Prussia, was once a sensitive young man not awfully interested in military matters…
Frederick dreamed of running away to England with his tutor and lover, Hans von Katte. But his father, King Frederick William, caught the pair.
Frederick William was infuriated and accused Von Katte of high treason. He had him executed, and held young Frederick before a window, forcing him to watch his lover die.
Frederick fainted from the horrible sight. Was depressed, broken and miserable for three days and three nights, after which he pulled himself together and set out to become a fine military man and general. He adopted Spartan habits, forced himself into physical hardships and molded himself, through sheer force of will, into a formidable military commander.
Where Frederick’s father had feared his son would be weak-willed, useless on the field of battle and devoid of personal bravery, he proved his father wrong by not only becoming capable, but even exceeding the success, bravery and victories of his father tenfold. His rule was longer, his impact greater and his victories far more numerous. In the end, perhaps through trauma and pain, Frederick became a man with an iron will, who shaped the history of Prussia and the whole of Germany to his vision…
I suppose some people are “born for greatness”. Certainly, some talents must be inherent, and the ability to quickly learn and master new skills and improve upon them isn’t seen in all of us. But whether or not we develop the drive to truly reach our fullest potential is determined often not by fate, but by circumstance — Frederick the Great could have run off to be a dandy in England, instead he was forced to watch his lover get beheaded and vowed to be the greatest general and king of his era just to spite his barbarous father.
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