American[]
Benjamin Franklin[]
'Tis a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own.
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
Men will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
Even peace may be purchased at too high a price
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
You may delay, but time will not
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
There us no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
To be thrown upon one's own resources, is to be cast into the very lap of fortune; for our faculties then undergo a development and display an energy of which they were previously unsusceptible
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
I have been apt to think that there has never been, nor ever will be, any such thing as a good war, or a bad peace
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move
- Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
Words may show a man's wit, but actions his meaning.
- - Benjamin Franklin, U.S. statesman, author, and scientist
Thomas Jefferson[]
This is the fourth?
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President, his last words
Beer is proof that God wants us to be happy!
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
I have seen enough of one war never to wish to see another
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
The greatest [calamity] which could befall [us would be] submission to a government of unlimited powers
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
From time to time, the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
War is an instrument entirely inefficient toward redressing wrong; and multiplies, instead of indemnifying losses
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
If ever there was a holy war, it was that which saved our liberties and gave us independence
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.
- - Thomas Jefferson, 3rd U.S. President
James Madison[]
You give me credit to which I have no claim in calling me 'the writer of the Constitution of the United States'. This was not, like the fabled Goddess of Wisdom, the offspring of a single brain. It ought to be regarded as the work of many heads and many hands
- - James Madison, 4th U.S. President
It was by the sober sense of our citizens that we were safely and steadily conducted from monarchy to republicanism, and it is by the same agency we can be kept from falling back
- - James Madison, 4th U.S. President
A popular Government without popular information nor the means of aquiring it, is but a Prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy ot perhaps both. Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives
- - James Madison, 4th U.S. President
George Washington[]
Over - grown military establishments are under any form of government inauspicious to liberty, and are to be regarded as particulary hostile to republican liberty
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
Every post is honourable in which a man can serve his country
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerouse servant and a fearful master
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
War - an act of violence whose object is to constrain the enemy, to accomplish our will
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
To place any dependence upon militia, is, assuredly, resting upon a broken staff
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished
- - George Washington, 1st U.S. President
John Adams[]
We're in a war, dammit! We're going to have to offend somebody!
- - John Adams, 2nd U.S. President
If tyranny ever came to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy
- - John Adams, 2nd U.S. President
Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war
- - John Adams, 2nd U.S. President
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy
- - John Adams, 2nd U.S. President
Alexander Hamilton[]
When the sword is drawn, the passions of men observe no bounds of moderation
- - Alexander Hamilton, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, economist, and political theorist
Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint
- - Alexander Hamilton, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, economist, and political theorist
Let us recollect that peace or war will not always be left to our option; that however moderate or unambitious we may be, we cannot count upon the moderation, or hope to extinguish the ambition of others
- - Alexander Hamilton, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, economist, and political theorist
Other[]
Is this dying? Is this all? Is this what I feared when I prayed against a hard death? Oh, I can bear this! I can bear this!
- - Cotton Mather, American puritan minister, his last words
It is well that war is horrible. Lest we should grow too fond of it
- - Robert E. Lee, U.S. general
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
- - Patrick Henry, American governor and radical
Stand by me, my brave grenadiers!
- - Charles Lee, U.S. general, his last words
In war, indeed, there can be no substitute for victory
- - Douglas MacArthur, U.S. general
I have only one regret, that I have only one life to give for my country
- - Nathan Hale, U.S. spy, his last words prior to his execution for treason by the British, 1776
I have not yet begun to fight!
- - John Paul Jones, U.S. naval captain
British[]
Arthur Wellesley[]
I never saw so many shocking bad hats in my life
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister, upon entering the House of Commons
Nothing except a battle lost can be half as melancholy as a battle won
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
I don't know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but by God, they frighten me
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
We have always been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
Up, Guards, and at 'em
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
Hard pounding, gentlemen. Let's see who pounds the longest.
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
I used to say of him that his presence on the field made the difference of forty thousand men
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister, speaking of Napoleon
The hardest thing of all for a soldier is to retreat
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
The only thing I am afraid of is fear
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
- The whole art of war consists of guessing at what is on the other side of the hill.
- - Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, British general and Prime Minister
Thomas Hardy[]
War makes rattling good history; but Peace is poor reading
- - Thomas Hardy, British novelist
William Shakespeare[]
Cry HAVOC! And let slip the dogs of war!
- - William Shakespeare, English playwright
Let me have war, say I; it exceeds peace as far as day does night; it's spiritedly, audible, and full of vent
- - William Shakespeare, English playwright
William Wordsworth[]
The good die first, and they whose hearts are dry as summer burn to the socket
- - William Wordsworth, British poet
Not without hope we suffer and we mourn
- - William Wordsworth, British poet
Strongest minds are often those whom the noisy world hears least
- - William Wordsworth, British poet
John Milton[]
None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license
- - John Milton, English poet
Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe
- - John Milton, English poet
Dr. Samuel Johnson[]
Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must be first overcome
- - Dr. Samuel Johnson, English essayist, biographer, and poet
Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel
- - Dr. Samuel Johnson, English essayist, biographer, and poet
To a people warlike and indigent, an incursion into a rich country is never hurtful
- - Dr. Samuel Johnson, English essayist, biographer, and poet
No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in jail, with a chance of drowning… A man in jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company
- - Dr. Samuel Johnson, English essayist, biographer, and poet
Thomas Paine[]
Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it
- - Thomas Paine, British radical, pamphleteer, and intellectual
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
- - Thomas Paine, British radical, pamphleteer, and intellectual
From such beginnings of governments, what could be expected, but a continual system of war and extortion
- - Thomas Paine, British radical, pamphleteer, and intellectual
Character is much easier kept than recovered
- - Thomas Paine, British radical, pamphleteer, and intellectual
Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one
- - Thomas Paine, British radical, pamphleteer, and intellectual
The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph
- - Thomas Paine, British radical, pamphleteer, and intellectual
The cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf
- - Thomas Paine, British radical, pamphleteer, and intellectual
Edward Gibbon[]
We improve ourselves by victories over ourself. There must be contests, and you must win
- - Edward Gibbon, English historian and MP
As long as mankind shall continue to bestow more liberal applause on their destroyers than on their benefactors, the thirst of military glory will ever be the vice of the most exalted characters
- - Edward Gibbon, English historian and MP
Joseph Addison[]
From hence, let fierce contending nations know, what dire effects from civil discord flow
- - Joseph Addison, English poet and essayist
My voice is still for war
- - Joseph Addison, English poet and essayist
Edmund Burke[]
When bad men combine, the good must associate else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle
- - Edmund Burke, British author, philospher, and political theorist
Liberty, too, must be limited in order to be possessed
- - Edmund Burke, British author, philospher, and political theorist
All that is essential for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing
- - Edmund Burke, British author, philospher, and political theorist
You can never play the future by the past
- - Edmund Burke, British author, philospher, and political theorist
Wars are just to those to whom they are necessary
- - Edmund Burke, British author, philospher, and political theorist
I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people
- - Edmund Burke, British author, philospher, and political theorist
Lord Horatio Nelson[]
You must consider every man your enemy who speaks ill of your King, and you must treat every Frenchman as if he were the Devil himself
- - Lord Horatio Nelson, British admiral
England expects that every man will do his duty
- - Lord Horatio Nelson, British admiral, 21st October 1805, Battle of Trafalgar
No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy - Lord Horatio Nelson, British admiral
Laurels grow in the bay of Biscay, I hope a bed of them may be found in the Mediterranean.
- - Lord Horatio Nelson, British admiral
William Cowper[]
Admirals extolled for standing still, or doing nothing with a deal of skill
- - William Cowper, British poet, "Table Talk", 1782
War's a game, which, were their subjects wise, kings would not play at
- - William Cowper, British poet
Scottish and Irish[]
Hail to the chief in triumph advances
- - Sir Walter Scott, Scottish poet and novelist
There are so few who can grow old with a good grace
- - Sir Richard Steel, Irish writer and publisher
Men are wise in proportion, not to their experience, but to their capacity for experience
- - James Boswell, Scottish diarist and author of "The Life of Samuel Johnson"
There's only one truth about war: people die
- - Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Irish playwright and MP
Other[]
War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.
- - George Orwell, British author and journalist
By push of bayonets, no firing until you see the whites in their eyes!
- - Sir Andrew Agnew of Lochnaw, British colonel
Duty and dereliction guide thee back to solitude
- - Percy Bysshe, British poet
The measure of a man's character is what he would do if he knew he never would be found out
- - Baron Thomas Babington Macaulay, British poet, historian, and MP
Mad is he? Let him bite other generals!
- - King George II, King of Britain, on General Wolfe
For here I leave my second leg. And the Forty-Second Foot.
- - Thomas Hood, British poet and humourist, "Faithless Nelly Gray", 1826
I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.
- - John Keats, British poet
There is one certain means by which I can be sure never to see my country's ruin; I will die in the last ditch.
- - William III, King of England
What, do they run already? Then I die happy.
- - James Wolfe, English general, his last words following news of the fall of Quebec
Never do today what you can put off 'til tomorrow.
- - William Pulteney, Earl of Bath, English MP
Oh, my country! How I leave my country!
- - William Pitt the Younger, British Prime Minister, his last words
Those entrusted with arms should be persons of some substance and stake in the country.
- - William Windham, British MP
I would rather wear out than rust out.
- - George Whitefield, British Methodist preacher
We English are good at forgiving our enemies; it releases us from the obligation of liking our friends.
- - P.D. James, British author
No one can guarantee success in war, but only deserve it.
- - Sir Winston Churchill, British Prime Minister
If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I would never lay down my arms - never - never - never!
- - William Pitt the Elder, British Prime Minister
Where laws end, tyranny begins.
- - William Pitt the Elder, British Prime Minister
For God's Sake be sure you do not risk the cannon.
- - John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, British general
The British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the British Navy.
- - Sir Edward Grey, British MP, speaking to the House of Commons
Gentlemen of France, perhaps you would care to fire first?
- - Lord Hay, British general, Battle of Fontenoy, 1745
Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear.
- - William Congreve, English dramatist
The essence of war is violence. Moderation in war is imbecility.
- - John (Jackie) Arbuthnot Fisher, British admiral
For a soldier I listed, to grow great in fame. And be shot at for six-pence a day.
- - Charles Dibdin, British dramatist and musician, "Charity"
Oh dear…
- David Garrack, British actor and theatre manager, his last words
Both regiments or none!
- -Samuel Adams, US Statesman, writer, political theorist
German[]
Carl Von Clausewitz[]
War is nothing but a duel on a larger scale
- - Carl Von Clausewitz, Prussian general and military theorist
No one starts a war - or rather, no one in his senses ought to do so - without first being clear in his mind what he intends to achieve by that war, and how he intends to conduct it
- - Carl Von Clausewitz, Prussian general and military theorist
Close combat, man to man, is plainly to be regarded as the real basis of combat
- - Carl Von Clausewitz, Prussian general and military theorist
The greatest enemy of a good plan, is the dream of a perfect plan
- - Carl Von Clausewitz, Prussian general and military theorist
Frederick II, the Great[]
If soldiers were to begin to think, not one of them would remain in the army
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
Without supplies, no army is brave
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
It is your attitude, and the suspicion that you are maturing the boldest designs against him, that imposes on your enemy
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
Everything which the enemy least expects will succeed the best
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
Artillery adds dignity to what would otherwise be an ugly brawl
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
Rascals, do you want to live forever?
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
Do not forget the dogs of war, your big guns, which are the most - to - be respected arguments of the rights of kings
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
We are made for action, and activity is the sovereign remedy for all physical ills
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
The most certain way of ensuring victory is to march briskly and in good order against the enemy, always endeavoring to gain ground
- - Frederick II the Great, King of Prussia
Immanuel Kant[]
Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life
- - Immanuel Kant, Prussian philosopher and geographer
Prudence approaches, conscience accuses
- - Immanuel Kant, Prussian philosopher and geographer
In law a man is guilty when he violates the rights of others. In ethics he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so
- - Immanuel Kant, Prussian philosopher and geographer
So act that your principle of action might safely be made a law for the whole world
- - Immanuel Kant, Prussian philosopher and geographer
Frederick William I[]
No, not quite naked. I shall have my uniform on
- - Frederick William I, King of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg, his last words
The most beautiful girl or woman in the world would be a matter of indifference to me, but tall soldiers - they are my weakness
- - Frederick William I, King of Prussia and Elector of Brandenburg
Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe[]
You must either conquer and rule or serve and lose, suffer or triumph, be the anvil or the hammer
- - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, German writer and polymath
Divide and rule, a sound motto. Unite and lead, a better one
- - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, German writer and polymath
Other[]
Let all brave Prussians follow me!
- - Count Von Sedgewick, Prussian general, his last words prior to being killed by a cannonball
Against stupidity the gods themselves struggle in vain
- - Friedrich Von Schiller, German poet and philosopher
War always finds a way
- - Bertolt Breht, German poet and playwright
He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you
- - Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher
A historian is a prophet in reverse
- - Friedrich Von Schlegel, German poet
French[]
Napoleon Bonaparte[]
In war, three - quarters turns on personal character and relations; the balance of manpower and materials counts only for the remaining quarter
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
Remember, gentlemen, what a Roman emperor said: "The corpse of an enemy always smells sweet."
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
Charges of cavalry are equally useful at the beginning, the middle and the end of a battle. They should be made always, if possible, on the flanks of the infantry, especially when the latter is engaged in front
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
Read over and over again the campaigns of Alexander, Hannibal, Caesar, Gustavus, Turenne, Eugene, and Frederic... This is the only way to become a great general and master of the secrets of the art of war
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
Imagination rules the world
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
You must not fear death, my lads; defy him, and you drive him into the enemy's ranks
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
It is exceptional and difficult to find all the qualities of a great general.
- Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
Ability is nothing without opportunity
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
In war the simplest maneuvers are the best
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
In revolution there are two sorts of men, those who cause them and those who profit by them.
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
An army marches on its stomach
- - Napoleon Bonaparte, French Emperor and general
Voltaire[]
God is not on the side of the big battalions, but on the side of those who shoot best
- - Voltaire, French author, wit, and philosopher
Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities
- - Voltaire, French author, wit, and philosopher
No problem can stand the assault of sustained thinking
- - Voltaire, French author, wit, and philosopher
I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it
- - Voltaire, French author, wit, and philosopher
Where some states possess an army, the Prussian army possesses a state
- - Voltaire, French author, wit, and philosopher
Other[]
"Is it a revolt?" A Duke of France: "No, Sir, it's a revolution."
- - Louis XVI, King of France, upon hearing of the revolution
I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women, French to men, and German to my horse.
- - King Charles V, King of Spain
I see that you have made three spelling mistakes.
- - Thomas de Mahay, Marquis de Favras, French aristocrat, his last words upon reading his death sentence before being guillotined
Every nation has the government that it deserves.
- - Joseph de Maistre, Savoyard lawyer and diplomat
I am about to - or I am going to - die; either expression is correct.
- - Dominique Bouhours, French Jesuit grammarian, his last words
An army must inevitably consist of the scum of the people and all those for which society has no use.
- - Conte de Saint - Germain, French courtier and alchemist
In an age that is utterly corrupt, the best policy is to do as others do.
- - Marquis de Sade, French aristocrat and novelist
Mistrust first impulses, they are nearly always good.
- - Charles - Maurice de Talleyrand, French diplomat
Ultima Ratio Regum. (The final argument of kings.)
- - Inscription on French cannons, by order of Louis XIV
First feelings are always the most natural.
- - Louis XIV, King of France, "The Sun King"
Sir, I had little hopes on Monday last but to have supped in your cabin: but it pleased God to order it otherwise. I am thankful for it. As for those cowardly captains who deserted you, hang them up, for by God they deserve it. Yours, Du Casse.
- Admiral Jean du Casse, to Vice - Admiral John Benbow following the Action of August 2nd, 1702
I have seen what I never thought to be possible, a single line of infantry break throguh three lines of cavalry, ranking in order of battle, and tumble them to ruin!
- Marquis Louis de Contades, French General, August 1, 1759, Battle of Minden
Slavic[]
Russian[]
Prince Aleksandr V. Suvorov[]
If we had not driven them into hell, hell would have swallowed us.
- - Prince Aleksandr V. Suvorov, Count of Rymnik, Russian general
One minute can decide the outcome of the battle, one hour - the outcome of the campaign, and one day - the fate of the country.
- - Prince Aleksandr V. Suvorov, Count of Rymnik, Russian general
When the enemy is driven back, we have failed, and when he is cut off, encircled and dispersed, we have succeeded.
- - Prince Aleksandr V. Suvorov, Count of Rymnik, Russian general
Win with ability, not with numbers.
- - Prince Aleksandr V. Suvorov, Count of Rymnik, Russian general
The Church will pray to God for the dead. The survivor has honour and glory.
- - Prince Aleksandr V. Suvorov, Count of Rymnik, Russian general
Accustom yourself to tire - less activity.
- - Prince Aleksandr V. Suvorov, Count of Rymnik, Russian general
Ukranian[]
When a man is able to take abuse with a smile, he is worthy to become a leader.
- - Reb Nachman of Bratslav, Nachman from Uman, Ukrainian Jewish teacher and spiritual leader
HUNGARIAN
The most persistent sound which reverberates through man's history is the beating of war drums.
- - Arthur Koestler, Hungarian Jewish author and polymath
Roman[]
Cicero[]
Silent enim leges inter arma. (Laws are silent in times of war.)
- - Cicero, Roman statesman and philosopher
Cedant arma togae, concedant laurea laudi. (Let war yield to peace, laurels to paeans.)
- - Cicero, Roman statesman and philosopher
Qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum. (Let him who desires peace, prepare for war.)
- - Vegetius, Roman writer
Swedish[]
Charles XII[]
Don't be afraid!
- - Charles XII, King of Sweden, his last words before being killed in battle
I have resolved never to start an unjust war, but never to end a legitimate one except by defeating my enemies.
- - Charles XII, King of Sweden
Asian[]
Chinese[]
The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any hosilities...It is best to win without fighting.
- - Sun Tzu, Chinese general and author of The Art of War
Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril.
- - Sun Tzu, Chinese general and author of The Art of War
All war is deception.
- - Sun Tzu, Chinese general and author of The Art of War
To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in on one battle is not the supreme of excellence. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence.
- - Sun Tzu, Chinese general and author of The Art of War
Japanese[]
Duty is heavier than iron, yet death is lighter than a feather.
- - Japanese proverb
Indian[]
Aurangzeb[]
Strange, that I came into the world with nothing, and now I am going away with this stupendous caravan of sin! Wherever I look, I see only God... I have sinned terribly, and I do not know what punishment awaits me.
- - Aurangzeb, the last Mughal Emperor, on his deathbed
Greek[]
Aristotle[]
We make war that we may live in peace.
- - Aristotle, Greek philosopher
Other[]
War is always fought for old men by young boys.
- - Anonymous
The great uncertainty of all data in war is because all action, to a certain extent, planned in a mere twilight - like the effect of a fog - gives things exaggerated dimensions and unnatural appearance.
- - Carl von Clausewitz
Think what thousands fell in vain, Wasted with disease and anguish, Not in glorious battle slain.
- The ballad of "Admiral Hosier's Ghost", 1726, based on a real event where 4000 of 4760 men died of disease in a single expedition
It is easier to forgive an enemy than to forgive a friend.
- William Blake, English engraver, illustrator, poet
How wonderful is Death, Death, and his brother Sleep!
- Extract from "Queen Mab" by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Where a goat can go, a man can go. And where a man can go, he can drag a gun.
- William Phillips, British Artillery General
Opinions founded on prejudice are always sustained with the greatest of violence.
- Francis Jeffery, Scottish literary critic and jurist
A great captain can only be formed by long experience and intense study.
-Charles, Archduke of Austria