Quotes about Offensive War

Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis

If we mean an offensive war in America, we must abandon New York and put out whole force into Virginia … If our plan is defensive mixed with desultory expeditions, let us quite the Carolinas--which cannot be held defensively while Virginia can be so easily armed against us—and stick to our salt pork in New York, sending now and then a to steal tobacco.

Cornwallis, who had the misfortune to be the Commanding General of the British forces which were defeated by the brilliant strategy of George Washington and his French Allies, never approved of the British Strategy in America. As a loyal officer, he was a field commander and did not control the overall strategy which most military historians agree was not very sound. While the British controlled New York City, they were surrounded by Washington’s troops and a hostile population. They Armies were separated and while generally too strong to defeat in the field were never strong enough or numerous enough to pacify large areas of the colonies.

Robert M. Gates

I will always be an advocate in terms of wars of necessity. I am just much more cautious on wars of choice.

Catholic Bishops

Every nation has a right and duty to defend itself against unjust aggression. Offensive war of any kind is not morally justifiable.

Nguyen Cao Ky

By fighting a limited, defensive war, America permitted the enemy to endlessly re-supply their field armies.

George Washington

The constitution vests the power of declaring war in Congress; therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject and authorized such a measure.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

The congressional role in declaring war is especially important not when the United States is the victim of an attack, but when the United States is planning to wage war abroad.

Tom Reiss

The Republic can count on me to battle its enemies... Offensive war suits the passionate character of the French, but it is the responsibility of the man in charge of leading them to prepare with caution and wisdom everything that leads to victory.

Thomas Paine

Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder; but if a thief breaks into my house, burns and destroys my property, and kills or threatens to kill me, or those that are in it, and to "bind me in all cases whatsoever" to his absolute will, am I to suffer it?

William F. Buckley Jr.

We have got to accept Big Government for the duration-for neither an offensive nor a defensive war can be waged, given our present government skills, except through the instrument of a totalitarian bureaucracy within our shores. … And if they deem Soviet power a menace to our freedom (as I happen to), they will have to support large armies and air forces, atomic energy, central intelligence, war production boards, and the attendant centralization of power in Washington-even with Truman at the reins of it all.

Mahatma Gandhi

A warrior lives on his wars, whether offensive or defensive. And he suffers a collapse if he finds that his warring capacity is unwanted.

William Hunter

This is not only war, it is an offensive war, not only an offensive war but an unjust war. I am for the honor of my country forced to say ... it is a wicked war, it is robbery.

In 1812 the United States covertly set up and supported "revolutionaries" against Spanish rule of East Florida, which later became part of the U. S.:

Sa’id Ramadan Al-Buti

It is meaningless to talk about the holy war as only defensive, otherwise, what did the Prophet mean when he said, "from now on even if they don’t invade you, you must invade them.

Offensive War Quotes