Who said “To be a leader of men one must turn one's back on men.”?

Verified

Havelock Ellis. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceIntroduction to Huysman's A Rebours (Against the Grain) (1884)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Introduction to Huysman's A Rebours (Against the Grain) (1884).

APA

Ellis, H. (n.d.). To be a leader of men one must turn one's back on men. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22480-to-be-a-leader-of-men-one-must/

MLA

Ellis, Havelock. “To be a leader of men one must turn one's back on men.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22480-to-be-a-leader-of-men-one-must/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Ellis, Havelock. “To be a leader of men one must turn one's back on men.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22480-to-be-a-leader-of-men-one-must/.