how to understand “general without an army” and “the tame hero“？
The Prime Minister out of office is seen, too often, to have been but a pompous rhetorician, and the General without an army is but the tame hero of a market town.
general without an army refers to general of a defeated army or retired general.

Question

how to understand “general without an army” and “the tame hero“？
The Prime Minister out of office is seen, too often, to have been but a pompous rhetorician, and the General without an army is but the tame hero of a market town. 
general without an army refers to general of a defeated army or retired general.

Answer

Perhaps it refers to a retired general, or just a general for some reason no longer serving.纸上谈兵。

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