Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.

—G.K. Chesterton

In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.

—Mark Twain

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

—John Fitzgerald Kennedy

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.

—José Narosky

Patriotism is easy to understand in America — it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.

—Calvin Coolidge

Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.

—James Bryce

But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for, / Is their monument today, and for aye.

—Thomas Dunn English

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.

—Elmer Davis

When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?

 —George Canning

Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.

—Michel de Montaigne

The flag is the embodiment, not of sentiment, but of history.

 —Woodrow Wilson

Ah, young Willie McBride, I can’t help wonder why, / Did all those who lay here really know why they died? / And did they believe when they answered the call, / Did they really believe that this war would end war? / For the sorrow, the suffering, the glory, the pain, / The killing and dying were all done in vain, / For, young Willie McBride, it all happened again, / And again and again and again and again.

—Eric Bogle

Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains that victory.

     – George S. Patton

All of us who served in one war or another know very well that all wars are the glory and the agony of the young.

– Gerald R. Ford

The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war.

—Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Lord, bid war’s trumpet cease; /Fold the whole earth in peace.

—Oliver Wendell Holmes