Summary
General Kutúzov finds himself pressured to attack the French at Tarútino, but his instincts tell him the battle will be a mess. Despite his subordinates constantly urging him to 'attack,' he holds back, knowing that complicated military maneuvers rarely work as planned. When he finally orders an advance, he moves slowly and reluctantly. The battle becomes exactly what he predicted—a confused affair where only the Cossacks accomplish anything meaningful, while the rest of the army suffers unnecessary casualties. Ironically, everyone gets rewarded afterward with medals and promotions. Tolstoy uses this moment to make a broader point about how life actually works versus how we think it should work. He argues that no battle ever goes according to plan because too many unpredictable forces are at play—like trying to predict exactly where a ball will bounce when multiple people are kicking it from different directions. The French historians who claim their battles followed neat, predetermined strategies are simply lying or deluding themselves. What makes this battle 'successful' isn't that it achieved anyone's specific goals, but that its messy, unplanned outcome accomplished what Russia actually needed: driving out the French and beginning their army's collapse. Sometimes the best results come not from perfect execution of brilliant plans, but from accepting chaos and letting events unfold naturally.
Coming Up in Chapter 287
The focus shifts to Napoleon himself, as the French emperor begins to grasp the true scope of his predicament. His army's retreat will soon become something far more desperate.
Share it with friends
An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
Meanwhile another column was to have attacked the French from the front, but Kutúzov accompanied that column. He well knew that nothing but confusion would come of this battle undertaken against his will, and as far as was in his power held the troops back. He did not advance. He rode silently on his small gray horse, indolently answering suggestions that they should attack. “The word attack is always on your tongue, but you don’t see that we are unable to execute complicated maneuvers,” said he to Milorádovich who asked permission to advance. “We couldn’t take Murat prisoner this morning or get to the place in time, and nothing can be done now!” he replied to someone else. When Kutúzov was informed that at the French rear—where according to the reports of the Cossacks there had previously been nobody—there were now two battalions of Poles, he gave a sidelong glance at Ermólov who was behind him and to whom he had not spoken since the previous day. “You see! They are asking to attack and making plans of all kinds, but as soon as one gets to business nothing is ready, and the enemy, forewarned, takes measures accordingly.” Ermólov screwed up his eyes and smiled faintly on hearing these words. He understood that for him the storm had blown over, and that Kutúzov would content himself with that hint. “He’s having a little fun at my expense,” said Ermólov softly, nudging with his knee Raévski who was at his side. Soon after this, Ermólov moved up to Kutúzov and respectfully remarked: “It is not too late yet, your Highness—the enemy has not gone away—if you were to order an attack! If not, the Guards will not so much as see a little smoke.” Kutúzov did not reply, but when they reported to him that Murat’s troops were in retreat he ordered an advance, though at every hundred paces he halted for three quarters of an hour. The whole battle consisted in what Orlóv-Denísov’s Cossacks had done: the rest of the army merely lost some hundreds of men uselessly. In consequence of this battle Kutúzov received a diamond decoration, and Bennigsen some diamonds and a hundred thousand rubles, others also received pleasant recognitions corresponding to their various grades, and following the battle fresh changes were made in the staff. “That’s how everything is done with us, all topsy-turvy!” said the Russian officers and generals after the Tarútino battle, letting it be understood that some fool there is doing things all wrong but that we ourselves should not have done so, just as people speak today. But people who talk like that either do not know what they are talking about or deliberately deceive themselves. No battle—Tarútino, Borodinó, or Austerlitz—takes place as those who planned it anticipated. That is an essential condition. A countless number of free forces (for nowhere is man freer than during a battle, where it is a question of life and death) influence the course taken by the...
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
As an Amazon Associate, we earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Productive Procrastination
Strategic delay that allows complex situations to develop naturally rather than forcing premature action under pressure.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to recognize when urgency is being used to bypass your better judgment and rush you into decisions.
Practice This Today
Next time someone says 'we need to decide NOW' or 'there's no time to think about it,' pause and ask yourself what information you're missing and why speed suddenly became more important than getting it right.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Military hierarchy
The chain of command in armies where lower-ranking officers must follow orders from higher-ranking ones, even when they disagree. In this chapter, generals like Milorádovich want to attack but must defer to Kutúzov's authority.
Modern Usage:
We see this in any workplace where middle management has ideas but the CEO makes final decisions.
Tactical retreat
Deliberately avoiding or delaying action when you know the timing isn't right, even when others pressure you to act. Kutúzov refuses to attack because he knows it will be a disaster.
Modern Usage:
Like not confronting your boss about a raise when they're stressed about layoffs - sometimes waiting is the smarter move.
Scapegoating
Blaming one person for problems that are actually systemic or unavoidable. Kutúzov hints that Ermólov will be blamed if things go wrong, even though the whole situation is messy.
Modern Usage:
When a company project fails and they fire the project manager instead of admitting the timeline was impossible.
Fog of war
The confusion and uncertainty that happens during any complex, high-stakes situation where multiple people are acting at once. Tolstoy argues that no battle ever goes according to plan because too many variables exist.
Modern Usage:
Like trying to coordinate a family reunion - no matter how much you plan, something unexpected always happens.
Institutional momentum
When organizations or systems keep moving in a certain direction even when individual people have doubts. The army attacks because that's what armies do, not because it makes strategic sense.
Modern Usage:
Like how companies keep having weekly meetings that everyone knows are pointless, but no one stops them.
Retrospective narrative
The way people tell stories about events afterward, making them seem more planned and logical than they actually were. Tolstoy criticizes French historians who claim their battles followed neat strategies.
Modern Usage:
Like how successful entrepreneurs tell stories about their 'vision' when really they just got lucky and adapted as they went.
Characters in This Chapter
Kutúzov
Reluctant commander
The Russian general who knows this battle will be a mess but is forced to order it anyway. He moves slowly and reluctantly, trying to minimize damage while satisfying political pressure to take action.
Modern Equivalent:
The experienced manager who knows the new company initiative will fail but has to implement it because the executives decided
Milorádovich
Eager subordinate
A general who keeps asking permission to attack, representing the military mindset that action is always better than waiting. He doesn't see the bigger picture that Kutúzov understands.
Modern Equivalent:
The enthusiastic employee who volunteers for every project without thinking about whether it's actually a good idea
Ermólov
Political survivor
An officer who was in trouble with Kutúzov but realizes from the general's comments that he's been forgiven. He understands the subtle politics of blame and favor in military hierarchy.
Modern Equivalent:
The coworker who knows they messed up but can tell from their boss's tone that they're off the hook
Key Quotes & Analysis
"The word attack is always on your tongue, but you don't see that we are unable to execute complicated maneuvers"
Context: He's responding to Milorádovich's request for permission to advance
This reveals Kutúzov's wisdom about the gap between theory and practice. He understands that complex plans usually fail because real situations are messier than we expect.
In Today's Words:
You keep saying we should just do it, but you're not seeing how complicated this actually is
"as soon as one gets to business nothing is ready, and the enemy, forewarned, takes measures accordingly"
Context: He's explaining to Ermólov why military plans usually fail
Kutúzov recognizes that the enemy isn't passive - they adapt and respond to your moves. This shows his understanding that strategy is interactive, not just following a script.
In Today's Words:
Everyone talks big until it's time to actually do something, and by then the other side has figured out what you're up to
"He's having a little fun at my expense"
Context: His reaction to Kutúzov's pointed comments about failed plans
This shows Ermólov's political intelligence - he can read between the lines and understands that Kutúzov's criticism is actually a form of forgiveness, not continued anger.
In Today's Words:
He's just messing with me now
Thematic Threads
Wisdom
In This Chapter
Kutúzov's instinctive understanding that battles rarely go according to plan, despite pressure from subordinates
Development
Evolved from earlier portrayals of military leaders—showing practical wisdom over theoretical knowledge
In Your Life:
Trusting your gut when everyone else is pushing for immediate decisions you're not ready to make
Authority
In This Chapter
Kutúzov must balance his own judgment against constant pressure from subordinates demanding action
Development
Continues theme of leadership challenges, but focuses on resisting rather than wielding pressure
In Your Life:
Managing situations where your position requires you to make decisions others are pushing for
Reality
In This Chapter
Tolstoy contrasts what actually happens in battle with the neat stories historians tell afterward
Development
Reinforces ongoing theme about the gap between how we think life works and how it actually works
In Your Life:
Recognizing when official explanations don't match what you actually experienced
Control
In This Chapter
The futility of trying to control complex military operations with too many unpredictable variables
Development
Extends earlier themes about the limits of human planning and control
In Your Life:
Accepting that some situations are too complex to micromanage and require letting go
Success
In This Chapter
The battle achieves what Russia needs despite—or because of—not following anyone's specific plan
Development
Challenges conventional definitions of success introduced in earlier military scenes
In Your Life:
Recognizing when messy, unplanned outcomes actually serve you better than perfect execution would have
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
Why does Kutuzov resist attacking when everyone around him is demanding action?
analysis • surface - 2
What does Kutuzov understand about complicated plans that his subordinates don't see?
analysis • medium - 3
Where have you seen this pattern of 'everyone demanding immediate action' in your own workplace or family?
application • medium - 4
When is strategic delay actually smarter than quick action, and how can you tell the difference between productive waiting and just avoiding decisions?
application • deep - 5
What does this battle teach us about the gap between how we think success should happen and how it actually happens?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Pressure Points
Think of a current situation where people are pressuring you to act quickly or make a decision. Draw a simple map showing who's pushing for what action and why. Then identify what information or timing you might be missing if you rush. What would 'productive procrastination' look like in your situation?
Consider:
- •Who benefits most from quick action versus careful timing?
- •What are you afraid will happen if you wait, and are those fears realistic?
- •What additional information might emerge if you create some space?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when you rushed into action because of pressure and it backfired. What would you do differently now, knowing what Kutuzov knew about timing?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 287: When Genius Meets Its Limits
The coming pages reveal even brilliant people can make catastrophic decisions when circumstances change, and teach us success in one situation doesn't guarantee success in another. These discoveries help us navigate similar situations in our own lives.