The power of an air force is terrific when there is nothing to oppose it.

If Britain must choose between Europe and the open sea, she must always choose the open sea.

No idea is so outlandish that it should not be considered with a searching but at the same time a steady eye.

War, which used to be cruel and magnificent has now become cruel and squalid.

It has not fallen to your lot to command great armies. You had to create them, organize them and inspire them.

The British people are good all through. You can test them as you would put a bucket into the sea and always find it salt.

The very first thing the President [Truman] did was to show me the new Presidential Seal, which he had just redesigned. He explained, 'The seal has to go everywhere the President goes. It must be displayed upon the lectern when he speaks. The eagle used to face the arrows but I have re-designed it so that it now faces the olive branches ... what do you think?' I said, 'Mr. President, with the greatest respect, I would prefer the American eagle's neck to be on a swivel so that it could face the olive branches or the arrows, as the occasion might demand.'