George C. Marshall quotes

George C. Marshall was an American military leader, diplomat, and statesman, best known for the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe after World War II. His leadership was crucial during the war and for shaping postwar foreign policy. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in 20th-century American history. Here are 74 of his quotes:

If man does find the solution for world peace it will be the most revolutionary reversal of his record we have ever known. (George C. Marshall)
When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective. View quote
George C. Marshall
Don't fight the problem, decide it. View quote
George C. Marshall
Military power wins battles, but spiritual power wins wars. View quote
George C. Marshall
The only way human beings can win a war is to prevent it. View quote
George C. Marshall
I don't want you fellows sitting around asking me what to do. I want you to tell me what to do. View quote
George C. Marshall
It is not enough to fight. It is the spirit which we bring to the fight that decides the issue. It is morale that wins the victory. View quote
George C. Marshall
The one great element in continuing the success of an offensive is maintaining the momentum. View quote
George C. Marshall
We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, Our Flag will be recognized throughout the World as a symbol of Freedom on the one hand and of overwhelming force on the other. View quote
George C. Marshall
Morale is the state of mind. It is steadfastness and courage and hope. It is confidence and zeal and loyalty. It is élan, esprit de corps and determination. View quote
George C. Marshall
I was very careful to send Mr. Roosevelt every few days a statement of our casualties. I tried to keep before him all the time the casualty results because you get hardened to these things and you have to be very careful to keep them always in the forefront of your mind. (George C. Marshall)
I said bluntly that if the president were to follow Mr. Clifford's advice and if in the elections I were to vote, I would vote against the president. View quote
George C. Marshall
Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine but against hunger, poverty, desperation and chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the world so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which free institutions can exist. View quote
George C. Marshall
The time has come when we must proceed with the business of carrying the war to the enemy, not permitting the greater portion of our armed forces and our valuable material to be immobilized within the continental United States. View quote
George C. Marshall
I can't expect loyalty from the army if I do not give it. View quote
George C. Marshall
The refusal of the British and Russian peoples to accept what appeared to be inevitable defeat was the great factor in the salvage of our civilization. View quote
George C. Marshall
The price of peace is eternal vigilance. View quote
George C. Marshall
I am certain that a solution of the general problem of peace must rest on broad and basic understanding on the part of its peoples. Great single endeavors like a League of Nations, a United Nations, and undertakings of that character, are of great importance and in fact absolutely necessary, but they must be treated as steps toward the desired end. View quote
George C. Marshall
Discussions without end have been devoted to the subject of peace, and the efforts to obtain a general and lasting peace have been frequent through many years of world history. View quote
George C. Marshall
A very strong military posture is vitally necessary today. How long it must continue I am not prepared to estimate, but I am sure that it is too narrow a basis on which to build a dependable, long-enduring peace. View quote
George C. Marshall
There has been considerable comment over the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to a soldier. I am afraid this does not seem as remarkable to me as it quite evidently appears to others. I know a great deal of the horrors and tragedies of war. ... The cost of war in human lives is constantly spread before me, written neatly in many ledgers whose columns are gravestones. I am deeply moved to find some means or method of avoiding another calamity of war. (George C. Marshall)
What other people do shouldn't affect you - we do things because of the kind of person we each want to be. View quote
George C. Marshall
Passive inactivity, because you have not been given specific instructions to do this or to do that, is a serious deficiency. View quote
George C. Marshall
When a general complains of the morale of his troops, the time has come to look at his own. View quote
George C. Marshall
Go right straight down the road, to do what is best, and to do it frankly and without evasion. View quote
George C. Marshall