Visit the Navy-Yard, and behold a marine, such a man as an American government can make, or such as it can make a man with its black arts—a mere shadow and reminiscence of humanity, a man laid out alive and standing, and already, as one may say, buried under arms with funeral accompaniments.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Another source of power in government is a military force. But this, to be efficient, must be superior to any force that exists among the people, or which they can command; for otherwise this force would be annihilated, on the first exercise of acts of oppression. Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom in Europe. The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any band of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States. A military force, at the command of Congress, can execute no laws, but such as the people perceive to be just and constitutional; for they will possess the power, and jealous will instantly inspire the inclination to resist the execution of a law which appears to them unjust and oppressive…
—Noah Webster (1758–1843) American Lexicographer, Journalist, Author
To a surprising extent the war-lords in shining armor, the apostles of the martial virtues, tend not to die fighting when the time comes. History is full of ignominious getaways by the great and famous.
—George Orwell (1903–50) English Novelist, Journalist
I will never joke about old soldiers who try to get to reunions to talk over the war again. To talk of old times with old friends is the greatest thing in the world.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
That’s what an army is—a mob; they don’t fight with courage that’s born in them, but with courage that’s borrowed from their mass, and from their officers.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
When they the American soldiers came, they found fit comrades for their courage and their devotion…. Joining hands with them, the men of America gave the greatest of all gifts – the gift of life and the gift of spirit.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
War is too important a matter to be left to the military.
—Georges Clemenceau (1841–1929) French Statesman, Physician, Journalist
No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Tell me what brand of whiskey that Grant drinks. I would like to send a barrel of it to my other generals.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
When we assumed the Soldier, we did not lay aside the Citizen.
—George Washington (1732–99) American Head of State, Military Leader
We know, Mr. Weller—we, who are men of the world—that a good uniform must work its way with the women, sooner or later.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Admiral. That part of a warship which does the talking while the figurehead does the thinking.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
I think with the Romans, that the general of today should be a soldier tomorrow if necessary.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
There is nothing more enticing, disenchanting, and enslaving than the life at sea.
—Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) Polish-born British Novelist
We are as near to heaven by sea as by land.
—Humphrey Gilbert (1539–83) English Adventurer, Explorer
I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them.
—Clara Barton (1821–1912) American Social Activist
Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been at sea.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
A young man who does not have what it takes to perform military service is not likely to have what it takes to make a living. Todays military rejects include tomorrows hard core unemployed.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
The greatest general is he who makes the fewest mistakes.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
The only traditions of the Royal Navy are rum, sodomy and the lash.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.
—Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American Head of State, Military Leader
He led his regiment from behind –
He found it less exciting.
But when away his regiment ran,
His place was at the fore, O.
—W. S. Gilbert (1836–1911) English Dramatist, Librettist, Poet, Illustrator
Like the old soldier of the ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty. Goodbye.
—Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) American Military Leader
Standing armies can never consist of resolute robust men; they may be well-disciplined machines, but they will seldom contain men under the influence of strong passions, or with very vigorous faculties.
—Mary Wollstonecraft (1759–97) English Writer, Feminist
What makes a regiment of soldiers a more noble object of view than the same mass of mob? Their arms, their dresses, their banners, and the art and artificial symmetry of their position and movements.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
The Creator has not thought proper to mark those in the forehead who are of stuff to make good generals. We are first, therefore, to seek them blindfold, and then let them learn the trade at the expense of great losses.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Military men are dumb, stupid animals to be used as pawns for foreign policy.
—Henry Kissinger (1923–2023) American Statesman, Diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Every citizen should be a soldier. This was the case with the Greeks and Romans, and must be that of every free state.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
The wonder is always new that any sane man can be a sailor.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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