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.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Soldiers must care for each other and reject cowardice to ensure national bravery.
- In plain terms
- Think about your buddy, not just yourself, and avoid being a coward.
- What can you take from it?
- Support your fellow soldiers and be brave.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who am I responsible for besides myself?
- How does my fear affect others?
Another view
Extreme rhetoric about punishing cowards may be counterproductive.
More from George S. Patton
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