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
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
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
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
Self-defense is Nature’s oldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
Right is its own defense.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
The best defense is a good offence
—Common Proverb
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
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
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
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
The aims of life are the best defense against death.
—Primo Levi (1919–87) Italian Novelist, Poet, Chemist
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
Irreverence is the champion of liberty and its only sure defense.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
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
Humor is just another defense against the universe.
—Mel Brooks (b.1926) American Film Actor, Screenwriter, Composer, Comedian, Actor
Attack is the best form of defense.
—Common Proverb
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
Commonly they must use their feet for defense whose only weapon is their tongue.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
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
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
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
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
We have to distrust each other. It is our only defense against betrayal.
—Tennessee Williams (1911–83) American Playwright
He who would be free must strike the first blow.
—Frederick Douglass (1817–95) American Abolitionist, Author, Editor, Diplomat, Political leader
Self-defense is Nature’s eldest law.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
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
Ceremony is necessary as the outwork and defense of manners.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
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 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