There is no worse mistake in public leadership than to hold out false hopes soon to be swept away. The British people can face peril or misfortune with fortitude and buoyancy, but they bitterly resent being deceived or finding that those responsible for their affairs are themselves dwelling in a fool's paradise.

When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.

When I look round to see how we can win the war, I see that there is only one sure path . . . and that is absolutely devastating, exterminating attack by very heavy bombers from this country upon the Nazi homeland.

Unless some effective supranational government can be set up and brought quickly into action, the prospects of peace and human progress are dark and doubtful.

The problems of victory are more agreeable than those of defeat, but they are no less difficult.

I am certainly not one of those who need to be prodded. In fact, if anything, I am the prod.

I'm just preparing my impromptu remarks.