Quotes about Captors

Winston Churchill

A prisoner of war is a man who tries to kill you and fails, and then asks you not to kill him.

Adahoonzou II

What hurts me most is, that some of your people have maliciously misrepresented us in books, which never die; alleging that we sell our wives and children for the sake of procuring a few kegs of brandy. No! We are shamefully belied, and I hope you will contradict, from my mouth, the scandalous stories that have been propagated; and tell posterity that we have been abused. We do, indeed, sell to the white men a part of our prisoners, and we have a right to do so. Are not all prisoners at the disposal of their captors? and are we to blame, if we send delinquents to a far country? I have been told you do the same.

The English sentenced many, criminals to “export” with America being one of the penal destinations. Georgia, for example, was heavily populated with convicted criminals.

Henry Clinton

Whereas the enemy [American Revolutionists] have adopted a practice of enrolling Negroes among their troops, I do hereby give Notice that all Negroes taken in Arms or upon any military Duty shall be purchased for the public service at a stated price; the money to be paid to the captors. But I do most strictly forbid any Person to sell or claim right over any Negroes the property of a Rebel who may take refuge with any part of this Army. And I do promise to every Negro who shall desert the Rebel Standard full Security to follow within the Lines any occupation which he may think proper

There were so many Blacks fighting for the Americans in the Revolution that the British Commander had to issue a special proclamation which would make slaves of any Negro captured but issued freedom to those who would desert. Despite the greater risk to Negro Revolutionaries than their white counterparts many volunteered and few deserted.

John McCain

I know that victims of torture will offer intentionally misleading information if they think their captors will believe it.

Terry Pratchett

If you have to look along the shaft of an arrow from the wrong end, if a man has you entirely at his mercy, then hope like hell that man is an evil man. Because the evil like power... they will talk, they will gloat. So hope like hell your captor is an evil man. A good man will kill you with hardly a word.

Leo Africanus

This king [of Timbuktu] makes war only upon neighboring enemies and upon those who do not want to pay him tribute. When he has gained a victory, he has all of them--even the children--sold in the market at Timbuktu

Johannis Leo de Medici. He had been a slave captured by Christians but was freed and converted by the Pope who commissioned the study. This work was the primary European resource on Africa for years. It demonstrates that Black slavery existed as an African institution for some time before the Europeans and Americans took it to a new plateau.

Bret Stephens

Among the events of John McCain's five-and-a-half years of imprisonment and torture in North Vietnam, probably the most heroic, and surely the most celebrated, was his refusal to accept an early release from his captors.

Richelle Mead

Day 24. Situation is growing worse. My captors continue to find new and horrific ways to torture me. When not working, Agent Scarlet spends her days examining fabric swatches for bridesmaid dresses and going on about how in love she is. This usually causes Agent Boring Borscht to regale us with stories of Russian weddings that are even more boring than his usual ones. My attempts at escape have been thwarted thus far. Also, I am out of cigarettes. Any assistance or tobacco products you can send will be greatly appreciated. -Prisoner 24601

Beth Moore

A prisoner unaware is the kind of prisoner most vulnerable to her captors, the easiest prey there is.

Terry Waite

Freeing hostages is like putting up a stage set, which you do with the captors, agreeing on each piece as you slowly put it together; then you leave an exit through which both the captor and the captive can walk with sincerity and dignity.

George Jackson

Up until now, the prospect of parole has kept us from confronting our captors with any real determination.

Amanda Lindhout

My captors were definitely aware that what they were doing was wrong. It came out in small ways - occasionally through a show of guilt or compassion. One of the boys bought me a gift. Another used to sneak me acetaminophen tablets.

Adahoonzou II

You have seen me kill many men at the customs; and you have often observed delinquents at Grigwhee, and others of my provinces tied, and sent up to me. I kill them, but do I ever insist on being paid for them? Some heads I order to be placed at my door, others to be strewed about the market place, that the people may stumble upon them, when they little expect such a sight. This gives a grandeur to my customs, far beyond the display of fine things which I buy; this makes my enemies fear me, and gives me such a name in the Bush. Besides, if I neglect this indispensable duty, would my ancestors suffer me to live?

The “customs” were ceremonies where criminals were executed along with enemy raiders who were captured.

Alice Munro

I was amazed as people must be who are seized and kidnapped, and who realize that in the strange world of their captors they have a value absolutely unconnected with anything they know about themselves.

Captors Quotes