WIST Quotations

Patton, George S. -- “Letter of Instruction Number 1” (6 Mar 1944); appendix (D) to War As I Knew It (1947)

Dave — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:21:03 +0000

Fatigue makes cowards of us all.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
“Letter of Instruction Number 1” (6 Mar 1944); appendix (D) to War As I Knew It (1947)

Patton, George S. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
(Attributed)

Patton, George S. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Pacifists would do well to study the Siegfried and Maginot Line, remembering that these defenses were forced; that Troy fell; that the wall of Hadrian succumbed; that the Great Wall of China was futile. In war, the only sure defense is offense.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
(Attributed)

Patton, George S. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

I don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
(Attributed)

Patton, George S. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
(Attributed)

Patton, George S. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:40:51 +0000

All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
(Attributed)

In C. Province, The Unknown Patton (1983)

Patton, George S. -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 15:04:59 +0000

A good solution applied with vigor now is better than a perfect solution applied ten minutes later.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
(Attributed)

Patton, George S. -- War As I Knew It, “Reflections and Suggestions” (1947)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
War As I Knew It, “Reflections and Suggestions” (1947)

Patton, George S. -- War As I Knew It (1947)

Dave — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:56:29 +0000

Bravery and Courage: If we take the generally accepted definition of bravery as a quality which knows not fear, I have never seen a brave man. All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened. The courageous man is the man who forces himself, in spite of his fear, to carry on. Discipline, pride, self-respect, self-confidence, and the love of glory are attributes which will make a man courageous even when he is afraid.

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
War As I Knew It (1947)

Patton, George S. -- Notebook (1921-22)

Dave — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 10:40:02 +0000

The “fog of war” works both ways. The enemy is as much in the dark as you are. BE BOLD!!!!!

George S. Patton (1885-1945) American soldier
Notebook (1921-22)

In M. Blumenson, The Patton Papers, 1885-1940 (1972)