Winston Churchill

In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Goodwill.

The power of man has grown in every sphere, except over himself.

The whole history of the world is summed up in the fact that, when nations are strong, they are not always just, and when they wish to be just, they are no longer strong.

There are few virtues that the Poles do not possess and there are few errors they have ever avoided.

There is in the act of preparing, the moment you start caring.

No two on earth in all things can agree. All have some daring singularity.

When we went into World War II, I was a tractor driver then. I drove tractors on the plantation. So when they start calling people my age, 18, up, I was one they called.

In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.

Give me ten thousand Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.

Mine is the first generation able to contemplate the possibility that we may live our entire lives without going to war or sending our children to war.

The enemy is anybody who’s going to get you killed, no matter which side he’s on.

People didn’t want war. We were forced in it. How fast we finish it depends on how free a hand our generals and admirals have. The less interference they get from the politicians the quicker they’ll end it.

The only traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, sodomy and the lash.

The strongest of all warriors are these two – Time and Patience.

I have watched men suffer the anguish of imprisonment, defy appalling human cruelty… break for a moment, then recover inhuman strength to defy their enemies once more.

What is human warfare but just this; an effort to make the laws of God and nature take sides with one party.

It is a sweet and seemly thing to die for one’s country.

Thus, then, on the night of the tenth of May, at the outset of this mighty battle, I acquired the chief power in the State, which henceforth I wielded in ever-growing measure for five years and three months of world war, at the end of which time, all our enemies having surrendered unconditionally or being about to do so, I was immediately dismissed by the British electorate from all further conduct of their affairs.

War talk by men who have been in a war is always interesting; whereas moon talk by a poet who has not been in the moon is likely to be dull.

Buck did not read the newspapers, or he would have known that trouble was brewing, not alone for himself, but for every tide-water dog, strong of muscle and with warm, long hair, from Puget Sound to San Diego.

Among the calamities of war, may be justly numbered the diminution of the love of truth, by the falsehoods which interest dictates, and credulity encourages.