There is not one single social or economic principle or concept in the philosophy of the Russian Bolshevik which has not been realized, carried into action, and enshrined in immutable laws a million years ago by the white ant.
There is no working middle course in wartime.
It may well be that we shall by a process of sublime irony have reached a state in this story where safety will be the sturdy child of terror, and survival the twin brother of annihilation.
It would be a great reform in politics if perception could be made to spread as easily and as rapidly as foolishness.
We are weakened and we are tired, but we are not done yet.
The loyalties which center upon number one are enormous. If he trips, he must be sustained. If he make mistakes, they must be covered. If he sleeps, he must not be wantonly disturbed. If he is no good, he must be pole-axed.
We have a lot of anxieties, and one cancels out another very often.
Democracy is the best form of the worst type of government.
No matter how enmeshed a commander becomes in the elaboration of his own thoughts, it is sometimes necessary to take the enemy into account.
Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valor, and be in readiness for the conflict; for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar.
No two on earth in all things can agree. All have some daring singularity.
If, however, there is to be a war of nerves let us make sure our nerves are strong and are fortified by the deepest convictions of our hearts.
Little did we guess that what has been called the century of the common man would witness as its outstanding feature more common men killing each other with greater facilities than any other five centuries together in the history of the world.
I’m going to make a long speech because I’ve not had the time to prepare a short one.
I am sure that the mistakes of that time will not be repeated; we should probably make another set of mistakes.
Indomitable in retreat, invincible in advance; insufferable in victory.
In defeat, unbeatable; in victor, unbearable.
I have not always been wrong. History will bear me out, particularly as I shall write that history myself.
The cat does more for the war effort than you do. He acts as a hot-water bottle and saves fuel and power.
You create your own universe as you go along. The stronger your imagination, the more variegated your universe. When you leave off dreaming, the universe ceases to exist.