George S. Patton Quotes

United States Army general (1885–1945)

General George Smith Patton, Jr. (11 November 1885 – 21 December 1945) was a senior officer of the United States Army, who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean and European Theaters of World War II, but is best known for his leadership of the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany following the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944. He was known in his time as "America's Fightingest General".

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Native Name: George Smith Patton, Jr. • George Smith Patton Jr.

Also Known As: Old Blood and Guts

Alternative Names: The Old Man • Bandito • General Patton • G.S. Patton • George Patton • George Smith Patton • G.S. Patton, Jr.

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I am convinced that much more emphasis should be placed on history. The purpose of history is to learn how human beings react when exposed to the danger of wounds or death...

There is no such thing as luck, merely opportunity meeting preparedness.

George S. Patton Jr.

Do not fear failure. Do more than is required of you. Make your own plans fit the circumstances. There is only one type of discipline. — perfect discipline.

Men, this stuff that some sources sling around about America wanting out of this war, not wanting to fight, is a crock of bullshit. Americans love to fight, traditionally. All real Americans love the sting and clash of battle. You are here today for three reasons. First, because you are here to defend your homes and your loved ones. Second, you are here for your own self respect, because you would not want to be anywhere else. Third, you are here because you are real men and all real men like to fight.

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

Perpetual peace is a futile dream.

continue to advance until you run out of ammunition. Then, dig in.

No good decision was ever made in a swivel chair.

Battle is an orgy of disorder.

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.

We took over the so-called Royal Palace for a Headquarters and had it cleaned by prisoners for the first time since the Greek Occupation.

It is a popular idea that a man is a hero just because he was killed in action. Rather, I think, a man is frequently a fool when he gets killed.

Just finished reading the Koran — a good book and interesting.

There are apparently two types of successful soldiers. Those who get on by being unobtrusive and those who get on by being obtrusive. I am of the latter type and seem to be rare and unpopular: but it is my method. One has to choose a system and stick to it; people who are not themselves are nobody.

A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.