Francois de La Rochefoucauld Quotes

In war the heroes always outnumber the soldiers ten to one.

Untutored courage is useless in the face of educated bullets.

In strife who inquires whether stratagem or courage was used?

To be a soldier one needs that special gene, that extra something, that enables a person to jump into one on one combat, something, after all, that is unimaginable to most of us, as we are simply not brave enough.

Every man has a right to risk his own life for the preservation of it.

As to war, I am and always was a great enemy, at the same time a warrior the greater part of my life and were I young again, should still be a warrior while ever this country should be invaded and I lived.

I knew that if the feat was accomplished it must be at a most fearful sacrifice of as brave and gallant soldiers as ever engaged in battle.

The generals were fighting machine guns with the breasts of gallant men.

...if fifty bands of men surrounded us/ and every sword sang for your blood,/ you could make off still with their cows and sheep.

Our business in the field of fight, Is not to question, but to prove our might.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; Or close the wall up with our English dead! In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility: But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger.

If man is not ready to risk his life, where is his dignity?

...for the shield may be as important for victory, as the sword or spear.

The saying of old Antigonus, who when he was to fight at Andros, and one told him, "The enemy's ships are more than ours," replied, "For how many then wilt thou reckon me?

Where there is a brave man, in the thickest of the fight, there is the post of honor.

In time of revolution, with perseverance and courage, a soldier should think nothing impossible.

Generally women are better than men -- they have more character. I prefer men for some things, obviously, but women have a greater sense of honor and are more willing to take a chance with their lives.

It takes more courage to send men into battle than to fight the battle yourself.

War may make a fool of man, but it by no means degrades him; on the contrary, it tends to exalt him, and its net effects are much like those of motherhood on women.

It is an error to suppose that courage means courage in everything. Most people are brave only in the dangers to which they accustom themselves, either in imagination or practice.

They have not the heart for this battle. So think of your families, think of your homes, and remember it is they you are fighting for.

Dare to fail. If you never fail, you're never taken risks and that's no way to take on this life.

In war nothing is impossible, provided you use audacity.

If one took no chances, one would not fly at all. Safety lies in the judgment of the chances one takes.

Come back with your shield - or on it