Self-defense is Nature’s oldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Education is the cheap defense of nations.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one.
—Gloria Steinem (b.1934) American Feminist, Journalist, Activist, Political Advocate
Commonly they must use their feet for defense whose only weapon is their tongue.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Inventor
Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
—Sun Tzu (fl.c.544–496 BCE) Chinese General, Military Theorist
A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.
—William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925–2008) American Conservative Writer, Commentator
The defense budget is more than a piggy bank for people who want to get busy beating swords into pork barrels
—George H. W. Bush (1924–2018) American Republican Statesman, 41st President
There is no defense against criticism except obscurity.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Harsh necessity, and the newness of my kingdom, force me to do such things and to guard my frontiers everywhere.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Ceremony is necessary as the outwork and defense of manners.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society.
—Vince Lombardi, Jr. (1913–70) American Football Player, Coach
The means of defense against foreign danger historically have become the instruments of tyranny at home.
—James Madison (1751–1836) American Founding Father, Statesman, President
If we desire to avoid insult, we must be able to repel it; if we desire to secure peace, one of the most powerful instruments of our rising prosperity, it must be known, that we are at all times ready for War.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained in arms, is the best most natural defense of a free country.
—James Madison (1751–1836) American Founding Father, Statesman, President
The problem in defense is how far you can go without destroying from within what you are trying to defend from without.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
When men talk about defense, they always claim to be protecting women and children, but they never ask the women and children what they think
—Pat Schroeder (1940–2023) American Politician
A funeral eulogy is a belated plea for the defense delivered after the evidence is all in.
—Irvin S. Cobb (1876–1944) American Humorist, Writer, Columnist
Self-defense is Nature’s eldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
In our time political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible.
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
There’s no telling what might have happened to our defense budget if Saddam Hussein hadn’t invaded Kuwait that August and set everyone gearing up for World War II. Can we count on Saddam Hussein to come along every year and resolve our defense-policy debates? Given the history of the Middle East, it’s possible.
—P. J. O’Rourke (1947–2022) American Journalist, Political Satirist
Wisdom makes but a slow defense against trouble, though at last a sure one.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
The best defense is a good offence
—Common Proverb
Defense is superior to opulence.
—George Goodman (b.1930) American Economist, Author
The longer the life the more the offense, the more the offense the more the pain, the more the pain the less defense and the less defense the less the gain.
—Thomas Wyatt (1503–42) English Poet, Diplomat
Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well organized and armed militia is their best security.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
He who would be free must strike the first blow.
—Frederick Douglass (1817–95) American Abolitionist, Author, Editor, Diplomat, Leader
Arms in the hands of citizens may be used at individual discretion… in private self-defense.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
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