War Quotes

Those who fought, those who protested, and those who survived reflect on humanity's darkest impulse.

10745 quotes

"In war, the only law is victory."
Leonidas I
"Our enemies will find no mercy, only the edge of our swords."
Leonidas I
A
"In war, the greatest victory is making your enemy surrender his will to fight."
Alcibiades
A
"War is the ultimate test of a man's commitment to his principles."
Alcibiades
"The numbers of the enemy matter less than their fear of you."
Leonidas I
I
"War is the refuge of those who have failed at peace."
Isocrates
A
"The greatest battles are not fought with spears, but with ideas and persuasion."
Alcibiades
D
"Even if you do not wish to fight, your enemy may wish to fight you."
Demosthenes
T
"The art of war is the art of knowing when not to fight."
Themistocles
T
"War teaches us the value of peace."
Themistocles
"In the crucible of war, men reveal their true character."
Leonidas I
"War teaches harsh lessons that peace cannot."
Leonidas I
P
"To understand your enemy is to have already won half the battle."
Philip II
P
"War is a terrible teacher, but it teaches thoroughly."
Philip II
I
"War is the failure of all other forms of persuasion and reason."
Isocrates
D
"All warfare is based on deception."
Demosthenes
T
"Delay in war is often a victory in itself."
Themistocles
T
"The art of war is the art of deception and truth."
Themistocles
P
"War should be waged only when it is necessary and just."
Pericles
P
"In war, the first casualty is always the truth."
Philip II
D
"War is the continuation of politics by other means."
Demosthenes
E
"War is often born from ignorance."
Eratosthenes
I
"War is the failure of diplomacy, and peace is its greatest triumph."
Isocrates
P
"War is a failure of diplomacy and wisdom."
Pericles
"We fight not with hatred in our hearts, but with purpose."
Leonidas I
A
"War between reason and superstition is eternal; reason must prevail."
Aristarchus
A
"War reveals truth about ourselves and our values."
Aristarchus
I
"War reveals both the worst and sometimes the best in human nature."
Isocrates
I
"War teaches us the true cost of conflict and the value of peace."
Isocrates
P
"To die for one's country is the highest honor."
Pericles