[Admiral Nelson's counsel] guided me time and again. On the eve of the critical battle of Santa Cruz, in which the Japanese ships outnumbered ours more than two to one, I sent my task force commanders this dispatch: ATTACK REPEAT ATTACK. They did attack, heroically, and when the battle was done, the enemy turned away. All problems, personal, national, or combat, become smaller if you don't dodge them, but confront them. Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly, and its spines crumble. Carry the battle to the enemy! Lay your ship alongside his!

There aren't any great men. There are just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.

The Marine Corps has just been called by the New York Times, 'The elite of this country.' I think it is the elite of the world.

There are no great men, just great circumstances, and how they handle those circumstances will determine the outcome of history.

There are no great men, only ordinary men, who have met extraordinary challenges.

Strike fast, strike hard, strike often.

There are no extraordinary men... just extraordinary circumstances that ordinary men are forced to deal with.