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
A just fear of an imminent danger, though there be no blow given, is a lawful cause of war.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Defense is superior to opulence.
—George Goodman (b.1930) American Economist, Author
There is no defense against criticism except obscurity.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
Self-defense is Nature’s eldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
We have to distrust each other. It is our only defense against betrayal.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
For where the instrument of intelligence is added to brute power and evil will, mankind is powerless in its own defense.
—Dante Alighieri (1265–1321) Italian Poet, Philosopher
He who would be free must strike the first blow.
—Frederick Douglass (1817–95) American Abolitionist, Author, Editor, Diplomat, Political leader
Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
Self-defense is the clearest of all laws, and for this reason: lawyers didn’t make it.
—Douglas William Jerrold (1803–57) English Writer, Dramatist, Wit
Ceremony is necessary as the outwork and defense of manners.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
Childbirth is more admirable than conquest, more amazing than self-defense, and as courageous as either one.
—Gloria Steinem (b.1934) American Feminist, Journalist, Social Activist, Political Activist
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
We’re in greater danger today than we were the day after Pearl Harbor. Our military is absolutely incapable of defending this country.
—Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) American Head of State
The best defense is a good offence
—Common Proverb
The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry.
—William F. Buckley, Jr. (1925–2008) American TV Personality, Author
The aims of life are the best defense against death.
—Primo Levi (1919–87) Italian Novelist, Poet, Chemist
A sense of humor is a major defense against minor troubles.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
In our time political speech and writing are largely the defense of the indefensible.
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
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
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
Defense is the stronger form with the negative object, and attack the weaker form with the positive object.
—Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) American Author, Journalist, Short Story Writer
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
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
Wisdom makes but a slow defense against trouble, though at last a sure one.
—Oliver Goldsmith (1730–74) Irish Novelist, Playwright, Poet
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
Often times I have hated in self-defense; if I were stronger I would not have used such a weapon.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
I will tell you what I will do and what I will not do. I will not serve that in which I no longer believe, whether it call itself my home, my fatherland, or my church: and I will try to express myself in some mode of life or art as freely as I can and as wholly as I can, using for my defense the only arms I allow myself to use—silence, exile and cunning.
—James Joyce (1882–1941) Irish Novelist, Poet
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
Self-defense is Nature’s oldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Attack is the best form of defense.
—Common Proverb
I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.
—Barry Goldwater (1909–98) American Elected Representative, Businessperson, Politician
Education is the cheap defense of nations.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
For there is no defense for a man who, in the excess of his wealth, has kicked the great altar of Justice out of sight.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Poet
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 faithful friend is a strong defense: and he that hath found such an one hath found a treasure
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Our capacity to retaliate must be, and is, massive in order to deter all forms of aggression.
—John Foster Dulles (1888–1959) American Republican Public Official, Lawyer
Humor is just another defense against the universe.
—Mel Brooks (b.1926) American Film Actor, Screenwriter, Composer, Comedian, Actor
A funeral eulogy is a belated plea for the defense delivered after the evidence is all in.
—Irvin S. Cobb (1876–1944) American Humorist, Short Story Writer, Columnist
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, Radical, Inventor
Irreverence is the champion of liberty and its only sure defense.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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 (b.1947) American Journalist, Political Satirist
Right is its own defense.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
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
Commonly they must use their feet for defense whose only weapon is their tongue.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier