World War II Quotes

Here are World War II quotes and quotations from significant WWII figures. For WWII history, see World War II History.

We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and the oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

Today we may say aloud before an awe-struck world: "We are still masters of our fate. We are still captain of our souls."

Indeed I do not think we should be justified in using any but the more sombre tones and colours while our people, our Empire, and indeed the whole English-speaking world are passing through a dark and deadly valley.

Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, This was their finest hour.

This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.

And when he gets to Heaven
To St. Peter he will tell:
'One more Marine reporting, Sir — I've served my time in Hell.'

I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.

Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends.

We are not retreating -- we are advancing in another direction.

There is no substitute for victory.

Success is how high you bounce when you hit the bottom.

No bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.

When I said that British fighter-bombers had shot up my tanks with 40mm shells, the Reichsmarschall who felt himself touched by this, said: 'That's completely impossible. The Americans only know how to make razor blades.' I replied: 'We could do with some of those razor blades, Herr Reichsmarshall.'

You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.

I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.

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