11 Gen. George Patton Quotes That Show His Strategic Awesomeness

Military.com ^ | Updated Jul 20, 2026, 4:39 PM EDT | US Military History

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Jul 20, 2026, 4:39 PM EDT

Originally published by  We Are The Mighty

Gen. George S. Patton was a complicated military figure, but there can be little debate over whether he was quotable.

Perhaps most famous for his commanding of the 7th Army during World War II, Old “Blood and Guts” often gave rousing speeches to motivate, inspire and educate his soldiers. We collected 11 of his most famous quotes (courtesy of his estate’s official website) that show how larger than life he really was.

1. 'A Pint of Sweat Will Save a Gallon of Blood'

Soldiers are not good on the battlefield without training hard beforehand. Whether it’s a soldier, a civilian wanting to run a marathon or a CEO running a company, being successful at what you do requires focus, effort and learning.

For soldiers especially, working extra hard in training can save their lives later.

2. 'A Good Plan, Violently Executed Now, Is Better Than a Perfect Plan Next Week'

Known for his brilliance on the battlefield, Patton often had to make decisions based on limited information and time. But he knew to avoid “paralysis by analysis,” make a decision, and execute it the best he could. Otherwise, the enemy might maneuver faster and beat him.

3. 'Lead Me, Follow Me, or Get Out of My Way'

Perhaps one of the most famous quotes that people don’t realize originated with Patton, this mantra summed up his style.

4. 'Do Everything You Ask of Those You Command'

Patton led his soldiers by example. While he’s best known for commanding troops during World War II and perfecting the art of tank warfare, his troops knew he was more than willing to personally get into...

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TOPICS: History; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: patton

[Ditto]

Oh they weren't that stupid.

I got that from a guy who was in Budapest in 1956 when the Russians invaded to put down the revolution. He said Russian soldiers were washing their potatoes in the toilet. They had no idea what it was for.

[circlecity]

"8. 'If Everybody Is Thinking Alike, Then Somebody Isn’t Thinking' Good leaders don’t want to hear from “yes men.” They encourage healthy debate, talking over strategy, and planning out different options."

Again this is very much like US Grant. When he had tactical decisions to make Grant would gather his generals and solicit input on the best course of action. He let each one speak and rarely interrupted except to ask the occasional question to insure he understood their point. The generals rarely agreed with each other. Grant didn't argue or debate the matter with any of them. He just listened to everyone. When they were done Grant would thank and dismiss them. None knew which way Grant was going to go. Within an hour or two they would receive Grant's written orders.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

“Never dig in.”

[jroehl]

We could have nuked Moscow and taken over the whole world. We would have had relative peace for a thousand years. It would have eliminated the Cold War and saved millions of lives.

[fso301]

His quote about Hitler and the Battle of the Bulge is excellent but unprintable in this forum.

[ridesthemiles]

BRAVERY IS BEING SCARED TO DEATH, BUT SADDLING UP ANYWAY

[catnipman]

here’s the referenced speech: well worth reading!

http://www.5ad.org/Patton_speech.htm

[Ancesthntr]

‘A Good Plan, Violently Executed Now, Is Better Than a Perfect Plan Next Week’

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I have distilled/modified that one to: “The Perfect is the enemy of the Good.”

[Ancesthntr]

“BTW. How many thousands of US troops do you think we would have lost if we had gone to war with the Russians in 1945? A hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand? A million? Would we even have won that war? The Soviets totally destroyed the German army. There were more of them than there were of us and Stalin was not concerned with Soviet causalities.”

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First, much of the fuel and vehicles that the Red Army used were supplied by us - if we’d have gone to war with them, they wouldn’t have had those resources.

Second, we (especially with the Brits - Churchill would’ve been on board) would have had complete control of the air in a few weeks, and we basically also had ALL of the strategic bombers. Soviet logistics bases and lines would have been pulverized in VERY short order, along with their old fields and refineries.

Third, they had no navy or marines to speak of. We had nearly 100 carriers, thousands of ships and nearly 500,000 Marines. We could’ve landed large numbers of troops anywhere from the Far East to the entire Black Sea area, and there’s nothing that they could’ve done to stop us.

Our industry was untouched by the war as was our population, whereas they had already suffered 26 million dead and their industry was near the breaking point.

We would have destroyed them within a year or 2 - and that would have released hundreds of millions from virtual slavery, prevented them from getting nukes and rockets, and prevented China from going Communist. The casualties would have been large, but from the societal/civilizational frame of reference, well worth it.

[Ditto]

We could have nuked Moscow and taken over the whole world. We would have had relative peace for a thousand years. It would have eliminated the Cold War and saved millions of lives.

What about Leningrad, or Kiev, or Stalingrad, or Svastrapol, Minsk, or Vladivostok. Did we even have that many nukes in 1945? I don’t think so. And as to saving lives, how many did we kill nuking Moscow?

I’m sure as hell glad you weren’t in charge in 1945.

[jroehl]

We now have several people who can kill all of humanity tomorrow morning. Not a good outcome by any measure.

[Ditto]

We would have destroyed them within a year or 2 -

Do you think the American people would have tolerated two more years of war? The British people sure as hell wouldn't. They didn't even re elect Churchill. After Iwo Jima and Okinawa the American people had enough of the high casualties.

Again, I’m damn glad you weren’t in charge in 1945.

[Ditto]

We now have several people who can kill all of humanity tomorrow morning. Not a good outcome by any measure.

So fighting the Soviets in 1945 would have changed that?

[dfwgator]

Patton was no fan of nuclear weapons.

“Wonder weapons?” My God, I don’t see the wonder in them. Killing without heroics. Nothing is glorified? Nothing is reaffirmed? No heroes, no cowards, no troops, no generals. Only those who are left alive and those who are left... dead. I’m glad I won’t live to see it.”

[Ditto]

We now have several people who can kill all of humanity tomorrow morning. Not a good outcome by any measure.

So fighting the Soviets in 1945 would have changed that?

[jroehl]

Yes, completely and totally.

The Pax Romana (Latin for “Roman Peace”) was a roughly 200-year Golden Age of the Roman Empire, lasting from 27 BC to 180 AD.

[Made In The USA]

Thanks for posting, just shared a link to my boss. So much of this is transferable to the workplace as leaders.

[Justa]

“It’s sad that he treated his kids no differently than he did his troops via verbal abuse, shame, criticism.”

Slapped them too I hope.

I bet none of them grew up to be drug addicts, bums or Democrats either.

[GregH]

Great American general who knew how to win a war decisively, that kind of leadership is missing in America today.

[Albion Wilde]