33 Thought-provoking War Quotes That Are Insightful

War

Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia, South Sudan, and the list could get longer. These countries have something in common:war. We usually hear of wars in the news or see them in movies. However, unless you have lived in a war-stricken place, you would never understand the reality of the matter.

War means loss. There is loss of life, limbs, and property. War brings about pain, anguish, frustration, despair, anxiety, and fear. The unrest brings about physical, mental, and emotional turmoil in the lives of those it affects.

War is never the solution, no matter the situation at hand. It only makes things worse. Remember to send a positive thought or say a prayer to someone trapped in a region of war. And if you are going through it, have faith and courage because you will make it through. These war quotes provide more insight on war.

War Quotes

We don't even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.

We don’t even know how strong we are until we are forced to bring that hidden strength forward. In times of tragedy, of war, of necessity, people do amazing things. The human capacity for survival and renewal is awesome.

There are no good wars or bad wars. The only thing bad about a war is to lose it. All wars have been fought for a so-called good Cause on both sides. But only the victor's Cause becomes history's Noble Cause. It's not a matter of who is right or who is wrong, it's a matter of who has the best generals and the better army!

There are no good wars or bad wars. The only thing bad about a war is to lose it. All wars have been fought for a so-called good Cause on both sides. But only the victor’s Cause becomes history’s Noble Cause. It’s not a matter of who is right or who is wrong, it’s a matter of who has the best generals and the better army!

Then I began writing. It was about a German aviator in World War I. Baron Von Himmlen. He flew a red Fokker. And he was not popular with his fellow fliers. He didn't talk to them. He drank alone and he flew alone. He didn't bother with women, although they all loved him. He was above that. He was too busy. He was busy shooting Allied plans out of the sky. Already he had shot down 110 and he war wasn't over. His red Fokker, which he referred to as the "October Bird of Death," was known everywhere. Even the enemy ground troops knew him as he often flew low over them, taking their gunfire and laughing, dropping bottles of champagne to them suspended from little parachutes. Baron Von Himmlen was never attacked by less than five Allied planes at a time. He was an ugly man with scars on his face, but he was beautiful if you looked long enough -- it was in the eyes, his style, his courage, his fierce aloneness.

Then I began writing. It was about a German aviator in World War I. Baron Von Himmlen. He flew a red Fokker. And he was not popular with his fellow fliers. He didn’t talk to them. He drank alone and he flew alone. He didn’t bother with women, although they all loved him. He was above that. He was too busy. He was busy shooting Allied plans out of the sky. Already he had shot down 110 and he war wasn’t over. His red Fokker, which he referred to as the “October Bird of Death,” was known everywhere. Even the enemy ground troops knew him as he often flew low over them, taking their gunfire and laughing, dropping bottles of champagne to them suspended from little parachutes. Baron Von Himmlen was never attacked by less than five Allied planes at a time. He was an ugly man with scars on his face, but he was beautiful if you looked long enough — it was in the eyes, his style, his courage, his fierce aloneness.

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Howl : This war is terrible, they bomb from the southern coast to the northern border. It's all in flames now. Calcifer : I can't stand the fire and gunpowder. Those dopey guys have absolutely no manners. Howl : My own kind attacked me today. Calcifer : Who? The Witch of the Wastes? Howl : No, some hack wizards who turned themselves into monsters for the king. Calcifer : Those wizards are going to regret doing that. They'll never change back into humans. Howl : After the war, they won't recall they ever were human.

Howl : This war is terrible, they bomb from the southern coast to the northern border. It’s all in flames now.
Calcifer : I can’t stand

As the night darkened I’d go back to Pershing Square and sit on the benches and watch and listen to the people. The winos on the lawn passed bottles of muscatel and port about as the war rushed toward us.

As the night darkened I’d go back to Pershing Square and sit on the benches and watch and listen to the people. The winos on the lawn passed bottles of muscatel and port about as the war rushed toward us.

Mousa: Well, I do not know who you really are. But by the way you look, I can see you have no experience in war, do you? C'mon, do you? Rambo: I've fired a few shots. Mousa: A few shots? Come on! Maybe you should go back home and think it all over again. For a very long time! Rambo: I did think it over. Mousa: You did? Well... This is your choice. But let me tell you, you cannot get this American alone. If you fail, do not blame me. I will accept no responsibility. Rambo: Sounds familiar...

Mousa: Well, I do not know who you really are. But by the way you look, I can see you have no experience in war, do you? C’mon, do you?
Rambo: I’ve fired a few shots.
Mousa: A few shots? Come on! Maybe you should go back home and think it all over again. For a very long time!
Rambo: I did think it over.
Mousa: You did? Well… This is your choice. But let me tell you, you cannot get this American alone. If you fail, do not blame me. I will accept no responsibility.
Rambo: Sounds familiar…

A war is coming to us whether we like it or not. If a war is coming, we're gonna face it on the streets we know best.

A war is coming to us whether we like it or not. If a war is coming, we’re gonna face it on the streets we know best.

Burnett: I was told it might be possible to rent your boat. We'd like to do that. Is that possible? We need to get upriver. Rambo: Where are you going? Burnett: Into Burma. Rambo: Burma's a warzone. Burnett: Well, that's what people call it, but it's more like genocide than war. Anyway, this will be my fifth trip in, so we're aware of the risks. Rambo: I don't go that far north. Burnett: Let me explain our situation. Our church is part of a pan-Asian ministry, located in Colorado. We are all volunteers who, around this time of year, bring in medical supplies, medical attention, prayer books, and support to the Karen tribespeople. People say you know the river better than anyone. Rambo: They ain't lying. Burnett: So what I'm asking is that we compensate you for a few hours of your time that will help change people's lives. Rambo: Are you bringing any weapons? Burnett: Of course not. Rambo: You're not changing anything. Burnett: Well, it's thinking like that that keeps the world the way it is. Rambo: Fuck the world.

Burnett: I was told it might be possible to rent your boat. We’d like to do that. Is that possible? We need to get upriver.
Rambo: Where are you going?
Burnett: Into Burma.
Rambo: Burma’s a warzone.
Burnett: Well, that’s what people call it, but it’s more like genocide than war. Anyway, this will be my fifth trip in, so we’re aware of the risks.
Rambo: I don’t go that far north.
Burnett: Let me explain our situation. Our church is part of a pan-Asian ministry, located in Colorado. We are all volunteers who, around this time of year, bring in medical supplies, medical attention, prayer books, and support to the Karen tribespeople. People say you know the river better than anyone.
Rambo: They ain’t lying.
Burnett: So what I’m asking is that we compensate you for a few hours of your time that will help change people’s lives.
Rambo: Are you bringing any weapons?
Burnett: Of course not.
Rambo: You’re not changing anything.
Burnett: Well, it’s thinking like that that keeps the world the way it is.
Rambo: Fuck the world.

Masoud, Afghan Mujahedeen Leader: Now you see how it is here. Somewhere in the war there's supposed to be honor. Where's the honor here? Where? Now, we're taking the survivors to the border. Are you coming? Rambo: I'm going to the fort. Masoud, Afghan Mujahedeen Leader: Have you not seen enough death? Go! Go while you can! This isn't your war. Rambo: It is now. Masoud, Afghan Mujahedeen Leader: So be it. You're a good friend.

Masoud, Afghan Mujahedeen Leader: Now you see how it is here. Somewhere in the war there’s supposed to be honor. Where’s the honor here? Where? Now, we’re taking the survivors to the border. Are you coming?
Rambo: I’m going to the fort.
Masoud, Afghan Mujahedeen Leader: Have you not seen enough death? Go! Go while you can! This isn’t your war.
Rambo: It is now.
Masoud, Afghan Mujahedeen Leader: So be it. You’re a good friend.

Trautman: You expect sympathy? You started this damn war! Now you'll have to deal with it! Zaysen: And we will. It is just a matter of time before we achieve a complete victory. Trautman: Yeah, well, there won't be a victory! Every day, your war machines lose ground to a bunch of POORLY-armed, POORLY-equipped freedom fighters! The fact is that you underestimated your competition. If you'd studied your history, you'd know that these people have never given up to anyone. They'd rather DIE, than be slaves to an invading army. You can't defeat a people like that. We tried! We already had our Vietnam! Now you're gonna have yours!

Trautman: You expect sympathy? You started this damn war! Now you’ll have to deal with it!
Zaysen: And we will. It is just a matter of time before we achieve a complete victory.
Trautman: Yeah, well, there won’t be a victory! Every day, your war machines lose ground to a bunch of POORLY-armed, POORLY-equipped freedom fighters! The fact is that you underestimated your competition. If you’d studied your history, you’d know that these people have never given up to anyone. They’d rather DIE, than be slaves to an invading army. You can’t defeat a people like that. We tried! We already had our Vietnam! Now you’re gonna have yours!

Trautman: John, I want you to try and forget the war. Remember the mission. The old Vietnam's dead. Rambo: Sir, I'm alive. It's still alive, ain't it?

Trautman: John, I want you to try and forget the war. Remember the mission. The old Vietnam’s dead.
Rambo: Sir, I’m alive. It’s still alive, ain’t it?

Murdock: Colonel, are you sure Rambo's still in balance with the war? We can't afford having him involved in this mission and then crack in the pressure of that hell. Trautman: Pressure? Let me just say that Rambo is the best combat vet I've ever seen. A pure fighting machine with only a desire to win a war that someone else lost. And if winning means he has to die, he'll die. No fear, no regrets. And one more thing: what you choose to call hell, he calls home.

Murdock: Colonel, are you sure Rambo’s still in balance with the war? We can’t afford having him involved in this mission and then crack in the pressure of that hell.
Trautman: Pressure? Let me just say that Rambo is the best combat vet I’ve ever seen. A pure fighting machine with only a desire to win a war that someone else lost. And if winning means he has to die, he’ll die. No fear, no regrets. And one more thing: what you choose to call hell, he calls home.

Teasle: He was just another drifter who broke the law! Trautman: Vagrancy wasn't it? That's gonna look real good on his grave stone in Arlington: Here lies John Rambo, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, survivor of countless incursions behind enemy lines. Killed for vagrancy in Jerkwater, USA. Teasle: Now don't give me any of that crap Trautman. Do you think Rambo was the only guy who had a tough time in Vietnam? He killed a police officer for Christ's sake! Trautman: You're goddamn lucky he didn't kill all of you.

Teasle: He was just another drifter who broke the law!
Trautman: Vagrancy wasn’t it? That’s gonna look real good on his grave stone in Arlington: Here lies John Rambo, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor, survivor of countless incursions behind enemy lines. Killed for vagrancy in Jerkwater, USA.
Teasle: Now don’t give me any of that crap Trautman. Do you think Rambo was the only guy who had a tough time in Vietnam? He killed a police officer for Christ’s sake!
Trautman: You’re goddamn lucky he didn’t kill all of you.

Trautman: What are you doing? Do you know what the hell you've done? Murdock: Don't act so innocent, Colonel. You had your suspicions, and if you suspected then you're sort of an accessory aren't ya? Trautman: Don't ever count me with you and your scum! It was a lie wasn't it? Just like the whole damn war, it was a lie! Murdock: What are you talking about? Trautman: That camp... was supposed to be empty. Rambo goes in, a decorated vet, he finds no POWs, the Congress buys it - case closed! And if he happens to get caught, nobody knows he's alive except you and your computers... and you can reprogram that can't you? Murdock: Who the hell do you think you're talking to, Trautman? Trautman: A stinkin' bureaucrat who's tryin to cover his ass! Murdock: No, not just mine Trautman. We're talkin' about a nation here! Besides, it was your hero's fault. Now if your warrior had gone in and done what the hell he was supposed to do, we'd be out of this clean and simple. He was just supposed to take pictures! Trautman: And if those pictures showed something they would have been... lost... wouldn't they? Murdock: Oh Trautman, I still don't think you understand what this is all about. Trautman: The same as it always is! Money! In '72 we were supposed to pay the Cong four-and-a-half billion in war reparations. We reneged, they kept the POWs... and you're doing the same thing all over again. Murdock: And what the hell would you do, Trautman? Pay blackmail money to ransom our own men and finance the war effort against our allies? What if some burn-out POW shows up on the six o-clock news? What do you want to do... start the war all over again? You wanna bomb Hanoi? You want everybody screaming for armed invasion? Do you honestly think somebody's gonna get up on the floor of the United States Senate, and ask for billions of dollars for a couple of forgotten ghosts? Trautman: Men, Goddamn it! Men... who fought for their country! Murdock: That's enough! Trautman, I'm gonna forget this conversation ever took place. Trautman: You bastard! Murdock: And if I were you... I'd never make the mistake of bringing this subject up again. Trautman: Oh you're the one who's making the mistake. Murdock: Yeah? What mistake? Trautman: Rambo.

Trautman: What are you doing? Do you know what the hell you’ve done?
Murdock: Don’t act so innocent, Colonel. You had your suspicions, and if you suspected then you’re sort of an accessory aren’t ya?
Trautman: Don’t ever count me with you and your scum! It was a lie wasn’t it? Just like the whole damn war, it was a lie!
Murdock: What are you talking about?
Trautman: That camp… was supposed to be empty. Rambo goes in, a decorated vet, he finds no POWs, the Congress buys it – case closed! And if he happens to get caught, nobody knows he’s alive except you and your computers… and you can reprogram that can’t you?
Murdock: Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, Trautman?
Trautman: A stinkin’ bureaucrat who’s tryin to cover his ass!
Murdock: No, not just mine Trautman. We’re talkin’ about a nation here! Besides, it was your hero’s fault. Now if your warrior had gone in and done what the hell he was supposed to do, we’d be out of this clean and simple. He was just supposed to take pictures!
Trautman: And if those pictures showed something they would have been… lost… wouldn’t they?
Murdock: Oh Trautman, I still don’t think you understand what this is all about.
Trautman: The same as it always is! Money! In ’72 we were supposed to pay the Cong four-and-a-half billion in war reparations. We reneged, they kept the POWs… and you’re doing the same thing all over again.
Murdock: And what the hell would you do, Trautman? Pay blackmail money to ransom our own men and finance the war effort against our allies? What if some burn-out POW shows up on the six o-clock news? What do you want to do… start the war all over again? You wanna bomb Hanoi? You want everybody screaming for armed invasion? Do you honestly think somebody’s gonna get up on the floor of the United States Senate, and ask for billions of dollars for a couple of forgotten ghosts?
Trautman: Men, Goddamn it! Men… who fought for their country!
Murdock: That’s enough! Trautman, I’m gonna forget this conversation ever took place.
Trautman: You bastard!
Murdock: And if I were you… I’d never make the mistake of bringing this subject up again.
Trautman: Oh you’re the one who’s making the mistake.
Murdock: Yeah? What mistake?
Trautman: Rambo.

Trautman: You did everything to make this private war happen. You've done enough damage. This mission is over, Rambo. Do you understand me? This mission is over! Look at them out there! Look at them! If you won't end this now, they will kill you. Is that what you want? It's over Johnny. It's over! Rambo: Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don't turn it off! It wasn't my war! You asked me, I didn't ask you! And I did what I had to do to win! But somebody wouldn't let us win! And I come back to the world and I see all those maggots at the airport, protesting me, spitting. Calling me baby killer and all kinds of vile crap! Who are they to protest me, huh? Who are they? Unless they've been me and been there and know what the hell they're yelling about! Trautman: It was a bad time for everyone, Rambo. It's all in the past now. Rambo: For *you*! For me civilian life is nothing! In the field we had a code of honor, you watch my back, I watch yours. Back here there's nothing! Trautman: You're the last of an elite group, don't end it like this. Rambo: Back there I could fly a gunship, I could drive a tank, I was in charge of million dollar equipment, back here I can't even hold a job *parking cars*!

Trautman: You did everything to make this private war happen. You’ve done enough damage. This mission is over, Rambo. Do you understand me? This mission is over! Look at them out there! Look at them! If you won’t end this now, they will kill you. Is that what you want? It’s over Johnny. It’s over!
Rambo: Nothing is over! Nothing! You just don’t turn it off! It wasn’t my war! You asked me, I didn’t ask you! And I did what I had to do to win! But somebody wouldn’t let us win! And I come back to the world and I see all those maggots at the airport, protesting me, spitting. Calling me baby killer and all kinds of vile crap! Who are they to protest me, huh? Who are they? Unless they’ve been me and been there and know what the hell they’re yelling about!
Trautman: It was a bad time for everyone, Rambo. It’s all in the past now.
Rambo: For *you*! For me civilian life is nothing! In the field we had a code of honor, you watch my back, I watch yours. Back here there’s nothing!
Trautman: You’re the last of an elite group, don’t end it like this.
Rambo: Back there I could fly a gunship, I could drive a tank, I was in charge of million dollar equipment, back here I can’t even hold a job *parking cars*!

You know what you are. What you're made of. War is in your blood. Don't fight it. You didn't kill for your country. You killed for yourself. The gods are never gonna make that go away. When you're pushed, killing's as easy as breathing.

You know what you are. What you’re made of. War is in your blood. Don’t fight it. You didn’t kill for your country. You killed for yourself. The gods are never gonna make that go away. When you’re pushed, killing’s as easy as breathing.

Trautman: I don't think you understand. I didn't come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him. Teasle: Well, we all appreciate your concern Colonel, I will try to be extra careful! Trautman: I'm just amazed he allowed any of your posse to live. Teasle: Is that right? Trautman: Strictly speaking, he slipped up. You're lucky to be breathing. Teasle: That's just great. Colonel, you came out here to find out why one of your machines blew a gasket! Trautman: You don't seem to want to accept the fact you're dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who's the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who's been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In Vietnam his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well Rambo was the best.

Trautman: I don’t think you understand. I didn’t come to rescue Rambo from you. I came here to rescue you from him.
Teasle: Well, we all appreciate your concern Colonel, I will try to be extra careful!
Trautman: I’m just amazed he allowed any of your posse to live.
Teasle: Is that right?
Trautman: Strictly speaking, he slipped up. You’re lucky to be breathing.
Teasle: That’s just great. Colonel, you came out here to find out why one of your machines blew a gasket!
Trautman: You don’t seem to want to accept the fact you’re dealing with an expert in guerrilla warfare, with a man who’s the best, with guns, with knives, with his bare hands. A man who’s been trained to ignore pain, ignore weather, to live off the land, to eat things that would make a billy goat puke. In Vietnam his job was to dispose of enemy personnel. To kill! Period! Win by attrition. Well Rambo was the best.

I could have killed 'em all, I could've killed you. In town you're the law, out here it's me. Don't push it! Don't push it or I'll give you a war you won't believe! Let it go. Let it go!

I could have killed ’em all, I could’ve killed you. In town you’re the law, out here it’s me. Don’t push it! Don’t push it or I’ll give you a war you won’t believe! Let it go. Let it go!

If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms never never never!

If I were an American, as I am an Englishman, while a foreign troop was landed in my country, I never would lay down my arms never never never!

About the contents of this page

Amra conducted research on the quotes with the assistance of Annabele.

Maggie organized the quotes into topics.

Charity wrote the introduction copy.

Schenley designed exclusive images for the quotes.

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