6 George S. Patton Quotes on Courage

George S. Patton quotes on courage

13. Every man is scared in his first battle. If he says he's not, he's a liar. Some men are cowards but they fight the same as the brave men or they get the hell slammed out of them watching men fight who are just as scared as they are. The real hero is the man who fights even though he is scared. Some men get over their fright in a minute under fire. For some, it takes an hour. For some, it takes days. But a real man will never let his fear of death overpower his honor, his sense of duty to his country, and his innate manhood. Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best and it removes all that is base.

21. 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.

39. I'm not going to subsidize cowardice.

42. Just drive down that road until you get blown up.

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

52. Take calculated risks. This is quite different from being rash. My personal belief is that if you have a 50% chance, take it!