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Inspirational Quotations

by RightAttitudes.com

Inspirational Quotes by George S. Patton (American Military Leader)

Inspirational Quotations by George S. Patton (American Military Leader)

George Patton (1885–1945,) fully George Smith Patton, Jr., was an American Army officer. An outstanding tactical commander of World War II, his leadership in the European and Mediterranean theatres were distinguished by boldness and inventive use of armor.

Born in San Gabriel, California, to a family with an extensive military background, Patton attended the Virginia Military Institute and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was highly athletic, as well as a remarkable fencer and equestrian.

Patton served as an aide to Gen. John J. Pershing during the army’s attempt to capture the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa 1916–17. Patton then accompanied Pershing to France in 1917 and became a specialist in tank warfare.

During World War II, Patton commanded the Western Task Forces, whose invasion of North Africa in 1942 led to the French surrender there in only three days. Patton gained quick victory after the Allied invasion of Sicily (1943.) He trained the U.S. 3rd Army to follow the Allies into France after D-Day (1944) and won praise for his boldness and surefootedness. Patton’s quick action in the Battle of the Bulge (1944–45) was instrumental in ending the Nazi offensive and led to his becoming a four-star general.

Patton’s strict discipline, toughness, and self-sacrifice elicited extraordinary pride within his ranks; he earned the nickname “Old Blood-and-Guts.” However, his brash actions and mercurial temper led to frequent controversies during his career. He was twice reprimanded by Dwight D. Eisenhower, who consequently elevated Omar Bradley, Patton’s immediate subordinate, to be Patton’s superior, and in command of the 12th U.S. Army Group for the pivotal invasion of Normandy.

An outspoken critic of the Soviets and the rapid denazification of postwar toward Germany, Patton failed as head of the occupation of Bavaria and was reassigned to command the 15th U.S. Army Group. He died from an automobile accident near Mannheim.

Patton’s autobiography, War as I Knew It, appeared posthumously in 1947.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George S. Patton

I want you men to remember that no damn bastard ever win a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other damn bastard die for his country.
—George S. Patton

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.
—George S. Patton
Topics: War

A good battle plan that you act on today can be better than a perfect one tomorrow
—George S. Patton
Topics: Battle

Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn’t give a hoot and hell for a man who lost and laughed. That’s why Americans have never lost nor ever lose a war.
—George S. Patton

The most vital quality a soldier can possess is self-confidence, utter, complete and bumptious.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Confidence

I do not fear failure. I only fear the “slowing up” of the engine inside of me which is pounding, saying, “Keep going, someone must be on top, why not you?”
—George S. Patton
Topics: Mistakes, Failure, Ambition

I would rather have a good plan today than a perfect plan two weeks from now.
—George S. Patton

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.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Fear, Courage

You need to overcome the tug of people against you as you reach for high goals.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Goals

Take calculated risks. That is quite different from being rash.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Risk, Government

The fixed determination to have acquired the warrior soul, to either conquer or perish with honor, is the secret of victory.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Commitment, Risk, Dedication

Pressure makes diamonds.
—George S. Patton

I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.
—George S. Patton

Don’t fight a battle if you don’t gain anything by winning.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Winning, Battle

Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Success, Challenges

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

Always do more than is required of you.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Service

Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Success

I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one behind me.
—George S. Patton

A good plan violently executed right now is far better than a perfect plan executed next week.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Planning

Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Work

If we take the generally accepted definition of bravery as a quality which knows no fear, I have never seen a brave man. All men are frightened. The more intelligent they are, the more they are frightened.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Fear, Courage

When a decision has to be made, make it. There is no totally right time for anything.
—George S. Patton

If I do my full duty, the rest will take care of itself.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Duty

There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Fear, Anxiety

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.
—George S. Patton

A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Work

Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Resolve, Courage, Endurance, Perseverance, Bravery, Fear

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Commitment, Warfare, Dedication, Enthusiasm

Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader.
—George S. Patton

The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Simplicity, Goals

It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.
—George S. Patton

A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan next week.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Planning

Americans love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle
—George S. Patton
Topics: Battle

There’s only one proper way for a professional soldier to die. That’s from the last bullet, of the last battle, of the last war.
—George S. Patton
Topics: War

If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking.
—George S. Patton

Never tell a man how to do something. Tell him what to do and let him surprise you with his ingenuity.
—George S. Patton
Topics: Accomplishment

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