Closing the Ring Quotes

“The Hitler tyranny was doomed. Here, then, we might pause in thankfulness and take hope, not only for victory on all fronts and in all three elements, but also for a safe and happy future for tormented mankind.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring

“In war-time,” I said, “truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“When men are fighting for their lives they are not often disposed to be complimentary to those who are trying to kill them.”
― Winston Churchill, Closing The Ring

“It was an honour to me to preside over this conference of the Combined Chiefs of Staff and of American and British authorities in the Council Room of the White House, and it seemed to be an event in Anglo-American history.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“I cannot touch upon this matter of Italy without exposing myself to the question, which I shall be most properly asked, “Would you apply this line of argument to the German people?” I say, “The case is different.” Twice within our lifetime, and three times counting that of our fathers, they have plunged the world into their wars of expansion and aggression. They combine in the most deadly manner the qualities of the warrior and the slave. They do not value freedom themselves, and the spectacle of it in others is hateful to them. Whenever they become strong they seek their prey, and they will follow with an iron discipline anyone who will lead them to it. The core of Germany is Prussia. There is the source of the recurring pestilence. But we do not war with races as such. We war against tyranny, and we seek to preserve ourselves from destruction. I am convinced that the British, American, and Russian peoples, who have suffered measureless waste, peril, and bloodshed twice in a quarter of a century through the Teutonic urge for domination, will this time take steps to put it beyond the power of Prussia or of all Germany to come at them again with pent-up vengeance and long-nurtured plans. Nazi tyranny and Prussian militarism are the two main elements in German life which must be absolutely destroyed. They must be rooted out if Europe and the world are to be spared a third and still more frightful conflict.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“To the youth of America, as to the youth of Britain, I say, “You cannot stop.” There is no halting-place at this point. We have now reached a stage in the journey where there can be no pause. We must go on. It must be world anarchy or world order. Throughout all this ordeal and struggle which is characteristic of our age you will find in the British Commonwealth and Empire good comrades to whom you are united by other ties besides those of State policy and public need. To a large extent they are the ties of blood and history. Naturally I, a child of both worlds, am conscious of these. Law, language, literature—these are considerable factors. Common conceptions of what is right and decent, a marked regard for fair play, especially to the weak and poor, a stern sentiment of impartial justice, and above all the love of personal freedom, or, as Kipling put it, “Leave to live by no man’s leave underneath the law”—these are common conceptions on both sides of the ocean among the English-speaking peoples. We hold to these conceptions as strongly as you do. We do not war primarily with races as such. Tyranny is our foe. Whatever trappings or disguise it wears, whatever language it speaks, be it external or internal, we must for ever be on our guard, ever mobilised, ever vigilant, always ready to spring at its throat. In all this we march together. Not only do we march and strive shoulder to shoulder at this moment under the fire of the enemy on the fields of war or in the air, but also in those realms of thought which are consecrated to the rights and the dignity of man.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“Prime Minister to Chief of Combined Operations They must float up and down with the tide. The anchor problem must be mastered. The ships must have a side-flap cut in them, and a drawbridge long enough to overreach the moorings of the piers. Let me have the best solution worked out. Don’t argue the matter. The difficulties will argue for themselves.14”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and to defy clamour are not fit to be Ministers in times of stress.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“Russian maxim, “You may always walk with the Devil till you get to the end of the bridge.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“The best method of acquiring flexibility is to have three or four plans for all the probable contingencies, all worked out with the utmost detail. Then it is much easier to switch from one to the other as and where the cat jumps.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“The war impulse of Italy has been destroyed, and that unhappy country is paying a terrible penalty for allowing itself to be misled by false and criminal guides. How much easier it is to join bad companions than to shake them off!”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“He cherished the illusion of power and consequence when the reality had gone.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“There had been many signs during the Conference that the Soviet Government sincerely desired permanent friendship with Britain and the United States.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“The Soviet machine is quite convinced it can get everything by bullying, and I am sure it is a matter of some importance to show that this is not necessarily always true.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing the Ring, 1951

“Three airborne divisions were to be delivered safely and in darkness on to their objectives, together with a number of special parties to stir and encourage the seething Resistance Movement.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“Their national psychology is such that the bigger the Idea the more wholeheartedly and obstinately do they throw themselves into making it a success. It is an admirable characteristic provided the Idea is good.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“No two cities have counted more with mankind than Athens and Jerusalem. Their messages in religion, philosophy, and art have been the main guiding lights of modern faith and culture.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“It has been well said that wherever there are three Jews it will be found that there are two Prime Ministers and one leader of the Opposition.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“I have it from the highest American authorities that it is their wish that their troops should receive direct orders. They say their Army has been framed more on Prussian lines than on the more smooth British lines, and that American commanders expect to receive positive orders, which they will immediately obey.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“How often in life must one be content with what one can get!”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“I resisted these movements whenever they came to my notice. In this I was supported by Marshal Stalin, who followed the Russian maxim, “You may always walk with the Devil till you get to the end of the bridge.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“They combine in the most deadly manner the qualities of the warrior and the slave. They do not value freedom themselves, and the spectacle of it in others is hateful to them.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“The best method of acquiring flexibility is to have three or four plans for all the probable contingencies, all worked out with the utmost detail.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring

“You may always walk with the Devil till you get to the end of the bridge.”
― Winston S. Churchill, Closing The Ring