In view of my services in Africa, I have the chance of dying by poison. Two generals have brought it with them. It is fatal in three seconds. If I take the poison, none of the usual steps will be taken against my family; that is, against you. They will also leave my staff alone.

Men are basically smart or dumb and lazy or ambitious. The dumb and ambitious ones are dangerous and I get rid of them. The dumb and lazy ones I give mundane duties. The smart ambitious ones I put on my staff. The smart and lazy ones I make my commanders.

If I had to take hell, I would use the Australians to take it and the New Zealanders to hold it.

One must not judge everyone in the world by his qualities as a soldier: otherwise we should have no civilization.

But courage which goes against military expediency is stupidity, or, if it is insisted upon by a commander, irresponsibility.

I would rather be the hammer than the anvil

One cannot permit unique opportunities to slip by for the sake of trifles.