General George Patton Quotes

Battlefield Wisdom:
General George Patton's Most Memorable Quotes Revealed

General George Patton Quotes is not just for history enthusiasts, anyone can get a lot of these quotes from one of the greatest generals in history.

If you are a history buff with particular interest in USA history including World War 1 and World War 2 then these General George Patton quotes are for you. General Patton dedicated his life to war. He was highly decorated and played integral part in protecting America during his time. (More detailed bio found near the end of this article)

His nickname alone commands attention – “Old Blood and Guts”.

Patton was known as "Blood & Guts" ("Our blood, his guts"), was a common gripe among his troops for his hard-driving discipline, which paid off in lower casualties and great success on the battlefield. With the exception of Douglas MacArthur, Patton ranks as the greatest general the United States put on the field during the Second World War. Patton achieved four-star rank for his battlefield exploits as one of the best commanders of mechanized forces on either side during the War. He succeeded Dwight D. Eisenhower as the Military Governor of the U.S. Occupation Zone in Germany, when Ike -- a five-star general -- was promoted to Army Chief of Staff.

He was the one who spearheaded the Seventh United States Army during World War II in the Mediterranean theater and conquered Sicily.

General Patton was also the force behind the United States Army Centrally located in France and Germany in 1944.

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The Warrior's Legacy:
Unforgettable Quotes by General George Patton

General George Patton quotes will teach you a lot about the man, about, war, what it takes to win. Of course, these quotes can be applied to everyday work life, business…well you get the point.

“There’s a great deal of talk about loyalty from the bottom to the top. Loyalty from the top down is even more necessary and is much less prevalent. One of the most frequently noted characteristics of great men who have remained great is loyalty to their subordinates.” 

"Give me an Army of West Point graduates and I'll win a battle... Give me a handful of Texas Aggies and I'll win a war."

"Fear kills more people than death."

"Always do more than is required of you."

“Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say"

"May God have mercy for my enemies because I won't."

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General Patton Strategy & Tactics Quotes

“War is an art and as such is not susceptible of explanation by fixed formula.”  

“Take calculated risks.”

“If everyone is thinking alike, someone isn’t thinking.” 

"Do not try to make circumstances fit your plans. Make plans that fit the circumstances."

"There is no such thing as a successful defense."

"Nobody ever defended anything successfully, there is only attack and attack and attack some more."

"When in doubt, observe and ask questions. When certain, observe at length and ask many more questions." 

"I have studied the enemy all my life. I have read the memoirs of his generals and his leaders. I have even read his philosophers and listened to his music. I have studied in detail the account of every damned one of his battles. I know exactly how he will react under any given set of circumstances. And he hasn't the slightest idea of what I'm going to do. So when the time comes, I'm going to whip the hell out of him."

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General Patton Success & Victory Quotes

These General George Patton Quotes show how the victory and success can be achieved. What inspiration!

“Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” 

"America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never, and will never, lose a war."

"The test of success is not what you do when you are on top. Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom." 

"Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory."

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General Patton Leadership Quotes

General George Patton Quotes demonstrate the increbible leadership abilities. These quotes clearly demonstrate the true leadership that made him one of America's greatest general.

“An army is a team. It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team. This individuality stuff is a bunch of bullshit.” 

Infantry must move forward to close with the enemy. It must shoot in order to move…. To halt under fire is folly. To halt under fire and not fire back is suicide. Officers must set the example.” 

“It is absurd to believe that soldiers who cannot be made to wear the proper uniform can be induced to move forward in battle. Officers who fail to perform their duty by correcting small violations and in enforcing proper conduct are incapable of leading.”

“Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.” 

“If a man does his best, what else is there?” 

"A leader is a man who can adapt principles to circumstances."

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General George Patton Quotes

General Patton Life &  Death Quotes

“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.” 

“If you can’t get them to salute when they should salute and wear the clothes you tell them to wear, how are you going to get them to die for their country?” 

“There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wound, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time.” 

“Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men.” 

“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

"Urge all of your men to pray, not alone in church, but everywhere. Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray by night and pray by day. Pray for the cessation of immoderate rains, for good weather for Battle.Pray for the defeat of our wicked enemy whose banner is injustice and whose good is oppression. Pray for victory. Pray for our Army, and Pray for Peace. We must march together, all out for God." 

"The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other bastard die for his." 

"Never draw a gun on a man unless you intend to kill him. And believe me, if you do intend to kill him he will already know it. Then he will feel the cold breath of the tomb." 

"Live for something rather than die for nothing."

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General Patton Courage & Bravery Quotes

“Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” 

“I am a soldier, I fight where I am told, and I win where I fight.” 

“Moral courage is the most valuable and usually the most absent characteristic in men.” 

“All men are timid on entering any fight. Whether it is the first or the last fight, all of us are timid. Cowards are those who let their timidity get the better of their manhood.” 

"The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is bearing arms."

"The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared."

"Each man must not think only of himself, but also of his buddy fighting beside him. We don't want yellow cowards in this Army. They should be killed off like rats. If not, they will go home after this war and breed more cowards. The brave men will breed more brave men. Kill off the Goddamned cowards and we will have a nation of brave men."

"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer."

"A man must know his destiny… if he does not recognize it, then he is lost. By this I mean, once, twice, or at the very most, three times, fate will reach out and tap a man on the shoulder… if he has the imagination, he will turn around and fate will point out to him what fork in the road he should take, if he has the guts, he will take it."

“I am sure that if every leader who goes into battle will promise himself that he will come out either a conqueror or a corpse, he is sure to win. There is no doubt of that. Defeat is not due to losses but to the destruction of the Soul of the leaders-the 'live to fight another day' doctrine.” 

“Remember that the enemy is just as frightened as you are and probably more so. They are not supermen.”

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General Patton Discipline & Determination

“You cannot be disciplined in great things and undiscipline in small things. Brave undisciplined men have no chance against the discipline and valor of other men. Have you ever seen a few policemen handle a crowd?” 

"Achievers are resolute in their goals and driven by determination.”

Discouragement is temporary, obstacles are overcome, and doubt is defeated, yielding to personal victory. You need to overcome the tug of people against you as you reach for high goals. Accept the challenges, so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory."

"Make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up."

"A man is not measured by how much he can take and stand but by how fast he regains once fallen."

"Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle."

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General Patton Biography

The General George Patton quotes were great but what about the man himself. Here is short biography on this great general.

General George S. Patton Jr. was a United States Army officer who is best known for his leadership during World War II. Born on November 11, 1885, in San Gabriel, California, Patton came from a family with a long history of military service. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1909 and went on to serve in various military capacities throughout his career.

During World War II, Patton became one of the most successful and celebrated American commanders in the European theater. He led the U.S. Third Army in its advance through France and Germany, playing a key role in the Allied victory in the Battle of the Bulge. Patton was known for his aggressive tactics and his ability to inspire his troops to achieve great feats.

Patton was also a controversial figure, known for his outspoken opinions and his sometimes controversial actions. He was a strong advocate for the use of tanks in warfare and believed in the importance of maintaining strict discipline and order among his troops. He was famously relieved of command following a series of incidents in which he made controversial statements and actions that were seen as detrimental to the war effort.

Patton died on December 21, 1945, following a car accident in Germany. Despite his controversial legacy, he is widely regarded as one of the most talented and effective military commanders in American history.

Complete Biography at Biography.com

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“Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say.”

Patton didn’t mince words and said it without much tact. Shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, he began giving his now-famous “blood and guts” speeches at Fort Benning, Georgia. They were often profane, but direct.