Churchill Quotes

Discussion in 'General' started by Marina, Jun 7, 2006.

  1. Kitty

    Kitty Very Senior Member

    This is probably misquoted, but I like it anyway:

    "Dogs look up to us and Cats look down at us, but pigs treat us as equals."

    So true.
     
  2. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    And still my favourite quick retort.

    Lady Astor: "Sir, you are drunk!"
    Churchill: "Yes. And you, madam are ugly. But I will be sober in the morning."

    :) :)


    One of the best mate, but I believe the exchange was between him and the formidable Bessie Braddock MP, Lady Astor offered the poisoned Tea.

    Here's a good one from his VE-Day address to the crowd:

    "There we stood, alone. Did anyone want to give in? [The crowd shouted "No."] Were we down-hearted? ["No!"] The lights went out and the bombs came down. But every man, woman and child in the country had no thought of quitting the struggle. London can take it. So we came back after long months from the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell, while all the world wondered. When shall the reputation and faith of this generation of English men and women fail? I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we've done and they will say "do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be-unconquered." Now we have emerged from one deadly struggle-a terrible foe has been cast on the ground and awaits our judgment and our mercy."

    From: http://www.winstonchurchill.org
    The source for the mildly obsessed Chuchillite. (Though their magazine can be a damned strange read sometimes.)
     
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  3. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Winston Churchill wrote a 6-point memo dated 23rd April 1943. Written as a result of receiving positive reports on "his" tank, it was addressed to Sir Edward Bridges et al. "The idea of having a spear-point or battering ram of heavily armoured vehicles to break the enemy's front and make a hole through which the lighter vehicles can be pushed has a very high military significance."

    Cheers, Gerry
     
  4. lancesergeant

    lancesergeant Senior Member

    Winston Churchill wrote a 6-point memo dated 23rd April 1943. Written as a result of receiving positive reports on "his" tank, it was addressed to Sir Edward Bridges et al."The idea of having a spear-point or battering ram of heavily armoured vehicles to break the enemy's front and make a hole through which the lighter vehicles can be pushed has a very high military significance."

    Cheers, Gerry







    Apologies if I sound infomal Gerry but this quote wouldn't relate in any way towards you being a tankie would it -lol
     
  5. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Apologies if I sound infomal Gerry but this quote wouldn't relate in any way towards you being a tankie would it -lol
    Hi L/Sgt,

    Perceptive of you - I served with the North Irish Horse during WW II. The quote is the introduction to an article of mine illustrating, when his words were heeded, the PM was proven right - at least in the North African and Italian Theatres. See: http://www.nih.ww2site.com/nih/Articles/15.html

    All the best, Gerry
     
  6. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    If I may be forgiven for leaning too much in the same direction, here's another.

    In 1942, with the war in North Africa at a critical stage, Winston Churchill - then serving as prime minister and minister of defense - delivered a historic speech before the House of Commons. Facing a motion of censure, Churchill delivered a ninety-minute oration, during which an MP asked about a certain 'Churchill' tank fiasco.

    "This tank," Churchill candidly explained, "was ordered off the drawing board and large numbers went into production very quickly. As might be expected, it had many defects and teething troubles, and when these became apparent, the tank was appropriately rechristened the 'Churchill.' "These defects have now been largely overcome," he added. "I have no doubt that this tank will prove, in the end, a powerful, massive, and serviceable weapon of war."

    Cheers, Gerry
     
  7. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    "The maxim of the British people is 'Business as usual' "
    (1914.)

    "Don't talk to me about Naval tradition. It's nothing but rum, sodomy and the lash"

    "Dictators ride to and fro upon tigers which they dare not dismount. And the tigers are getting hungry"
    (1936)

    In defeat, unbeatable; in victory, unbearable."
    (On Montgomery)
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    ITN just reporting the hand over of a Province of Iraq to Iraqi control.
    James Mates para-phrased this quote.
    Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
    Winston Churchill
     
  9. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    During the darkest days of WW II one of Winston Churchill's friends thanked him for his inspiring speeches. Having told the PM the speeches were giving courage to the people. Churchill responded, "You are mistaken. They already have the courage, I only focus on it."
     
  10. redcoat

    redcoat Senior Member

    "Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few"


    On hearing this, Squadron Leader Michael Crossley, the C/O of 32 Squadron RAF Fighter Command is said to have turned round and said to his pilots,

    " Careful chaps, the PM has seen the size of our Mess bill" :D
     
  11. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Never lose your sense of humour...what!
     
    dbf likes this.
  12. Kitty

    Kitty Very Senior Member

    At least they never had their beer allowance withdrawn, unlike 109 Squadron.
     
  13. Chris Basey

    Chris Basey Senior Member

    Churchill to King George VI, "I think that Montgomery is after my job, sir." The King's reply, "Have no fear, Churchill, he's after mine!"
     
  14. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Churchill to King George VI, "I think that Montgomery is after my job, sir." The King's reply, "Have no fear, Churchill, he's after mine!"

    Good one Chris, I had not heard that one!
     
  15. Marina

    Marina Senior Member

    We just don;t get s[peakers like him any more, do we?
    Great quotes here. Thanks everyone.
    Marina
     
  16. Lucy Stag

    Lucy Stag Senior Member

    I stand by my membership in the facebook group called something like "Every Great Quote is By Mark Twain or Winston Churchill."

    As much as never really LIKE any leader ever, I have a soft spot for old Winston C. The man could talk and the man could sure as hell write.
     
  17. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

    YOU SPOKE TO ME THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE LENGTH OF TELEGRAMS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS AN EVIL WHICH OUGHT TO BE CHECKED. MINISTERS AND AMBASSADORS ABROAD SEEM TO THINK THAT THE BIGGER THE VOLUME OF THEIR REPORTS HOME THE BETTER IS THEIR TASK DISCHARGED. ALL KINDS OF GOSSIP AND RUMOURS ARE SENT, REGARDLESS OF CREDIBILITY. THE IDEA SEEMS TO BE TO KEEP UP A CONTINUED CHAT WHICH NO ONE EVER TRIES TO SHORTEN. I SUGGEST THAT YOU SHOULD ISSUE A GENERAL INJUNCTION BUT THAT IN ADDITION TELEGRAMS WHICH ARE UNDULY VERBOSE OR TRIVIAL SHOULD BE CRITICISED AS SUCH AND THEIR AUTHORS TOLD 'THIS TELEGRAM WAS NEEDLESSLY LONG'. IT IS SHEER LAZINESS NOT COMPRESSING THOUGHT INTO A REASONABLE SPACE. I TRY TO READ ALL THESE TELEGRAMS AND I THINK THE VOLUME GROWS FROM DAY TO DAY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE.

    Churchill's telegram to Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 11 January 1941.
     
  18. Gerry Chester

    Gerry Chester WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    In 1942, with the war in North Africa at a critical stage, Winston Churchill - then serving as prime minister and minister of defence - delivered a historic speech before the House of Commons. Facing a motion of censure, Churchill delivered a ninety-minute oration, during which an MP asked about a certain 'Churchill' tank fiasco.

    "This tank," Churchill candidly explained, "was ordered off the drawing board and large number went into production very quickly. As might be expected, it had many defects and teething troubles and, when these became apparent, the tank was appropriately re-christened the 'Churchill.'

    "These defects have now been largely overcome," he added. "I have no doubt that this tank will prove, in the end, a powerful, massive and serviceable weapon of war."

    This self-deprecating joke was met with delighted laughter throughout the House; in the ensuing vote the motion was defeated by a majority of 475 to 25.
     
  19. 51highland

    51highland Very Senior Member

    I think it was an exchange with lady Aster in Parliament, Lady Aster " The right honourable gentleman is drunk"
    Churchill " and you madam are ugly, but in the morning I will be sober"
     
  20. freebird

    freebird Senior Member

    I am still narked how Bush et al quote Churchill to strengthen their arguements.
    What do others think? Without hijacking the thread.
    I feel he's OUR best ever leader. Not yours hands off!
    Bit like us Brits can moan about this country but as soon as anyone else does the hackles go up!

    Yes and when the US polititians try to deride the opposition calls to withdraw from Iraq, they invariably compare appeasers "like Chamberlain" to real fighting men like Patton or Macarthur. i wonder why they don't compare Churchill to Charles Lindhberg or Joe Kennedy instead? :unsure:
     

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