George S. Patton Quotes

A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood

Human beings are made up of flesh and blood, and a miracle fiber called courage.

We promised the Europeans freedom. It would be worse than dishonorable not to see that they have it. This might mean war with the Russians, but what of it? They have no air force, and their gasoline and ammunition supplies are low. I've seen their miserable supply trains; mostly wagons drawn by beaten up old horses or oxen. I'll say this; the Third Army alone and with damned few casualties, could lick what is left of the Russians in six weeks. You mark my words. Don't ever forget them. Someday we will have to fight them and it will take six years and cost us six million lives.

The test of success is not what you do when you are on top. Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.

Wonder weapons... my God, I don't see the wonder in them. Killing without heroics, nothing is glorified... nothing is reaffirmed? No heroes, no cowards, no troops, no generals? Only those who are left alive... and those who are left dead. I'm glad I won't live to see it.

From time to time there will be some complaints that we are pushing our people too hard. I don't give a good Goddamn about such complaints. I believe in the old and sound rule that an ounce of sweat will save a gallon of blood. The harder we push, the more Germans we will kill. The more Germans we kill, the fewer of our men will be killed. Pushing means fewer casualties. I want you all to remember that.

Pressure makes diamonds

Battle is an orgy of disorder.

Anyone in any walk of life who is content with mediocrity is untrue to himself and to American tradition.

So as through a glass, and darkly The age long strife I see Where I fought in many guises, Many names, but always me. <p> And I see not in my blindness What the objects were I wrought, But as God rules o'er our bickerings It was through His will I fought. <p> So forever in the future, Shall I battle as of yore, Dying to be born a fighter, But to die again, once more.

Don't tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.

Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood.

Christmas dawned clear and cold; lovely weather for killing Germans, although the thought seemed somewhat at variance with the spirit of the day.

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.

It is not the American soldiers duty do die for his country. It is the American soldiers duty to make the enemy die for his country.