The full value of this life can only be got by fighting; the violent take it by storm. And if we have accepted everything we have missed something - war. This life of ours is a very enjoyable fight, but a very miserable truce.

Thoughts on the Merits of Work The worst of work nowadays is what happens to people when they cease to work.

If you'd take your head home and boil it for a turnip it might be useful. I can't say. But it might.

The men who really believe in themselves are all in lunatic asylums.

For fear of the newspapers politicians are dull, and at last they are too dull even for the newspapers.

Soldiers have many faults, but they have one redeeming merit; they are never worshippers of force. Soldiers more than any other men are taught severely and systematically that might is not right. The fact is obvious. The might is in the hundred men who obey. The right (or what is held to be right) is in the one man who commands them.

The whole truth is generally the ally of virtue; a half-truth is always the ally of some vice.