Winston Churchill

Quotes are word for word from the source.

• Necessity versus luxury

  “Our naval power involves British existence. It is existence to us; it is expansion to them.”

  Our noteChurchill explains why the British Navy is more vital to Britain than the German Navy is to Germany.

• Taking a side

  “I decline utterly to be impartial as between the fire brigade and the fire.”

  Our noteResponding to criticism about his biased editing of the British Gazette.

• Work and action

  “After all, a man's Life must be nailed to a cross either of Thought or Action. Without work there is no play.”

  Our noteHe was reflecting on the necessity of hard work and purposeful living.

• Competitor perspective

  “Always remember, however sure you are that you could easily win, that there would not be a war if the other man did not think he also had a chance.”

  Our noteReflecting on why conflicts occur despite one side's confidence.

• Investing in security

  “Not to have an adequate air force in the present state of the world is to compromise the foundations of national freedom and independence.”

  Our noteHe was arguing for the strengthening of British armaments to ensure national self-determination.

• Value of concessions

  “Once it has been conceded it has seemed less valuable than when it was demanded.”

  Our noteDiscussing the lack of gratitude from Germany after international concessions.

• Internal difficulties

  “The worst difficulties from which we suffer do not come from without. They come from within.”

  Our noteAddressing the Royal Society of St George about national strength.

• Independent leadership

  “There ought to be a few members of the House of Commons who are in a sufficiently independent position to confront both Ministers and electors with unpalatable truths.”

  Our noteChurchill argues for the necessity of independent voices in government.

• Indomitable leadership

  “If our country were defeated, I hope we should find a champion as indomitable to restore our courage and lead us back to our place among the nations.”

  Our noteChurchill writes about Hitler's rise and the qualities of a national leader.

• Truth about neglect

  “They should know that there has been gross neglect and deficiency in our defences; they should know that we have sustained a defeat without a war”

  Our noteHe was addressing the House of Commons regarding the state of British defenses.

• Beginning of reckoning

  “And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning.”

  Our noteHe was warning that the Munich Agreement was only the first taste of a bitter cup.

• Action over inaction

  “I never "worry" about action, but only about inaction.”

  Our noteChurchill was discussing his preference for decisive movement over passive waiting.

• Unity in crisis

  “We have differed and quarrelled in the past but now one bond unites us all - to wage war until victory is won, and never to surrender ourselves to servitude and shame, whatever the cost and the agony must be.”

  Our noteHe spoke about the necessity of national unity during the conflict.

• Unity for Safety

  “If we had kept together after the last War, if we had taken common measures for our safety, this renewal of the curse need never have fallen upon us.”

  Our noteSpeaking to the U.S. Congress about the importance of international cooperation.

• Challenges of Success

  “The problems of victory are more agreeable than those of defeat, but they are no less difficult.”

  Our noteDiscussing the complexities that arise after winning a battle.

• Human capital value

  “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.”

  Our noteProposing the establishment of a National Health Service.

• Thorough preparation

  “Nothing that equipment, science or forethought could do has been neglected, and the whole process of opening this great new front will be pursued with the utmost resolution”

  Our noteReporting to Parliament on the start of the invasion of France.

• Post victory vigilance

  “We may allow ourselves a brief period of rejoicing; but let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead.”

  Our noteBroadcasting to the nation on Victory in Europe Day.

• Acknowledging team effort

  “Everyone, man or woman, has done their best. Everyone has tried.”

  Our noteSpeaking to the crowds in London on VE Day.

• Strategic silence

  “I think 'No Comment' is a splendid expression. I am using it again and again.”

  Our noteChurchill was speaking to reporters in Miami about the power of refusing to answer.

• Power of simplicity

  “All the greatest things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: Freedom; Justice; Honour; Duty; Mercy; Hope.”

  Our noteHe was reflecting on the core values that drive human progress.

• External unity

  “When I am abroad I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the Government of my country. I make up for lost time when I am at home.”

  Our noteHe was explaining his code of conduct regarding domestic politics while traveling.

• Conflict resolution

  “The object of Parliament is to substitute argument for fisticuffs.”

  Our noteHe was speaking in the House of Commons about the role of Parliament.

• Moral of work

  “In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Good Will.”

  Our noteThis was the moral of his monumental work on the Second World War.

• Nature of competition

  “It is a conflict of strategy, of organisation, of technical apparatus, of science, mechanics and morale.”

  Our noteChurchill describes how modern warfare has shifted from brute force to technical and strategic superiority.

• Methodical preparation

  “we must resolutely and methodically prepare ourselves for the campaigns of 1941 and 1942.”

  Our noteHe advises looking beyond the immediate crisis to prepare for long-term operations.

• Focus on immediate tasks

  “The task which lies before us immediately is at once more practical, more simple and more stern.”

  Our noteDiscussing the need to focus on winning the war before planning the post-war world.

• The prize of victory

  “The right to guide the course of world history is the noblest prize of victory.”

  Our noteExplaining why winning the conflict is necessary to shape the future.

• Strategic secrecy

  “If you do intend not to use more than a certain amount of force in delaying the enemy it would be most important not to let him know beforehand what you were going to do.”

  Our noteChurchill explains why the government did not telegraph their intent to abandon Somaliland.

• Resource preservation

  “If the enemy had not advanced in great strength we should not have gone, but when he did advance in great strength it was not to our interest to remain there and to expend a great deal of our strength in doing so.”

  Our noteChurchill justifies the tactical retreat from Somaliland to avoid unnecessary losses.