Dogs, would you live forever?

[Kerls, wollt ihr ewig leben?]

Frederick II (1712-1786) King of Prussia (a.k.a. Frederick the Great)

(Attributed) (18 Jun 1757)

Rallying call to retreating Prussian troops at the Battle of Kolin.

Variants:

• Rogues, would you live forever? [Ihr Racke, wollen sie ewig leben?]
• Rascals, do you want to live forever? [Kerls, wollt ihr denn ewig leben?]

The phrase has been attributed to various commanders since.