If my acceptance of the office of Governor would serve my country, though my administration would be attended with the loss of personal credit and reputation, I would cheerfully undertake it.

Whether in chains or in laurels, liberty knows nothing but victories.

We fought no better, perhaps, than they. We exhibited, perhaps, no higher individual qualities.

So the idea that you could put Kurds, Shiite Arabs, and Sunni Arabs in a nice, liberal, federal system in Iraq in a short amount of time, six months or a year, boggles the mind.

Years wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.

And like the old soldier in that 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 sight to see...

Perhaps not, Reno is keeping up the fight. He is not stampeded. You are not stampeded. That is about all sir, my God, that’s about all!

A general is just as good or just as bad as the troops under his command make him.

Let me say no danger and no hardship ever makes me wish to get back to that college life again.

I remember serving in Vietnam in that war, and many of us at the major Lieutenant Colonel, colonel level were frustrated that no one in the U.S. wanted to debate it that way.

It may not be proper for me, perhaps, to let my feelings carry me further am therefore resigned to stop here, if sir, you think my particular reasons following too free, or will give offense...

My first recollection is that of a bugle call.

The whole idea that the rescue was staged or the soldiers were shooting blanks, that’s just obvious stuff. Why would you do that in the middle of a war? It’s just crazy.

The presidents I served under don’t have anything to do with my politics.

Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear – kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor – with the cry of grave national emergency.

I long to be in the Field again, doing my part to keep the old flag up, with all its stars.

The Rebel bullet that can kill me has not yet been molded.

Never give an order that can’t be obeyed.

Rations were scarcely issued, and the men about preparing supper, when rumors that the enemy had been encountered that day near Gettysburg absorbed every other interest, and very soon orders came to march forthwith to...

I will make a general statement that we have not had anything like the policy of holding people in high office responsible for their acts that I think we should.

My sentiments for the American cause, from the Stamp Act downward, have never changed… I am still of opinion that it is the cause of liberty and of human nature.

The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle: the roar of the crowd on the one side, and the voice of your conscience on the other.

They told me I’d never probably see the front-line area.

The whole notion of land property rights in the Arab world is different from that in Europe.

Part of the American dream is to live long and die young. Only those Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live.

I never could be a partisan leader – a man of one idea.

War is horrible because it strangles youth.

Being chased into the Harbor by four British Ships of War, we then sent our whole force and strained every nerve for the defense of the Town.

I’ve looked that old scoundrel death in the eye many times but this time I think he has me on the ropes.

We know not of the future and cannot plan for it much.

I’ve decided that the political context is such that the only way reform will finally come about in the Russian military is that the deterioration goes beyond the point to which these old generals can...

No man in America ever strove more, and more successfully first to bring about a Congress in 1765, and then to support it ever afterwards than myself.

Old soldiers never die; they just fade away. And like the old soldier in that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty...

I could be, you know, the person that shows little kids that giving up isn’t something that you should do.

Therefore, once U.S. forces leave, it is almost inevitable that an anti-Western, anti-U.S. regime will arise.

A better world shall emerge based on faith and understanding.

The word was enough. It ran like fire along the line, from man to man, and rose into a shout, with which they sprang forward upon the enemy, now not 30 yards away.

We ought instead of retreating should follow up the enemy and take Richmond. And in full view of all responsible for such declaration, I say to you all, such an order can only be prompted...

I have never received a Farthing of Prize Money either for Artillery Ammunition or Vessels.

Americans never quit.

We pass now quickly from each other’s sight; but I know full well that where beyond these passing scenes you shall be, there will be Heaven.

In fact, it struck me when we invaded last year that if we did it without European and East Asian support, we were risking losing our alliance in Europe in exchange for Iraq, and that...

The House of Commons, refused to receive the addresses of the colonies, when the matter was pending; besides, we hold our rights neither from them nor from the Lords.

There is no substitute for victory.

And over time, I think, as Iraqi security capacity builds, you’ll see American and coalition presence there decline.

To say that you now trust the Russian military command and control system because some Russian general told you from the bottom of his heart that’s the case, strikes me as most unrealistic.

Only those are fit to live who are not afraid to die.

This is the great reward of service, to live, far out and on, in the life of others; this is the mystery of Christ, – to give life’s best for such high sake that it...

It was, however, in the interest of Osama bin Laden for us to destroy a secular Arab leader; it was very much in the interest of the Iranians because they wanted revenge against Saddam Hussein...

I received orders from Congress to proceed to Charleston in South Carolina, for the purpose of Co’operating with General Lincoln in the defense of that Capitol.