As a member of the Protestant British squirearchy ruling Ireland, he was touchy about his Irish origins. When in later life an enthusiastic Gael commended him as a famous Irishman, he replied "A man can be born in a stable, and yet not be an animal.

A great country cannot wage a little war.

I see no reason to suppose these machines will ever force themselves into general use.

The British soldiers are fellows who have all enlisted for drink. That is the plain fact - they have all enlisted for drink.

Call on a business man only at business times, and on business; transact your business, and go about your business, in order to give him time to finish his business.

Yes, about ten minutes.

When other Generals make mistakes their armies are beaten; when I get into a hole, my men pull me out of it.