19th-century Soldier Quotes

Robert E. Lee

Ferdinand Foch

Franz Halder

Nelson A. Miles

Joyce Kilmer

Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist

Frederick Russell Burnham

No blame can be attached to the army for its failure to accomplish what was projected by me... I alone am to blame, in perhaps expecting too much of its prowess and valor... could I have foreseen that the attack on the last day would fail, I should certainly have tried some other course... but I do not know what better course I could have pursued.

There are two days in the week about which and upon which I never worry. Two carefree days, kept sacredly free from fear and apprehension. One of these days is Yesterday.... And the other day I do not worry about is Tomorrow.

Robert Jones Burdette

IN MEMORIAM: FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE
She whom we love, our Lady of Compassion,
Can never die, for Love forbids her death.
Love has bent down in his old kindly fashion,
And breathed upon her his immortal breath.
On wounded soldiers, in their anguish lying,
Her gentle spirit shall descend like rain.
Where the white flag with the red cross is flying,
There shall she dwell, the vanquisher of pain.

Undoubtedly I have done harm to the society, but I have done it for defending my life, I would set fire to the whole world for it.

It is not possible to foretell the reaction of certain elements in the Army and Navy.

Yoshijirō Umezu

Whether or not our system of Indian management has been a success during the past ten, fifty, or hundred years is almost answered in the asking.

Nelson A. Miles

Whenever I go and see the Führer, I've got a loaded pistol in my pocket.

To her daughter Penelope of her future son-in-law, the poet John Betjeman:

We invite people like that to our houses, but we don't marry them.

Philip Chetwode, 1st Baron Chetwode

This absence of similarity among military questions naturally brings out the inability of memory to solve them; also the sterility of invariable forms, such as figures, geometrical drawings ( épures ), plans ( schémas ), etc. One only right solution imposes itself:;: namely, the application, varying according to circumstances, of fixed principles.

Prince Asaka had joined the army only about ten days before its entry into Nanking and in view of the short time he was connected with this army I do not think he can be held responsible. I would say that the Division Commanders are the responsible parties.

There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life—happiness, freedom, and peace of mind—are always attained by giving them to someone else.

Peyton C. March

Jas in the Arab language is despair, And Min the darkest meaning of a lie. Thus cried the Jessamine among the flowers, How justly doth a lie Draw on its head despair! Among the fragrant spirits of the bowers The boldest and the strongest still was I. Although so fair, Therefore from Heaven A stronger perfume unto me was given Than any blossom of the summer hours.

Charles Godfrey Leland

I am more afraid of an army of a hundred sheep led by a lion than an army of a hundred lions led by a sheep.

Frederick Russell Burnham

It is interesting but it was tragic. If you receive a military order you must obey. That is where the big difference between a military and a political order comes in. One can sabotage a political order but to disobey a military command is treason.

Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist

I stay right here and fight it out or die in the attempt.

Although I had arrived in total darkness the light of truth at once burst upon my mind and I perceived most clearly that the republicans had overreached themselves.

Francis Bond Head