Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington quotes

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, was a British military leader and statesman, best known for defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. His military strategies and political influence shaped 19th-century Europe. He is remembered as one of Britain's greatest national heroes. Here are 65 of his quotes:

I used to say of him that his presence on the field made the difference of forty thousand men.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

All the business of war, and indeed all the business of life, is to endeavour to find out what you don't know by what you do; that's what I called "guessing what was at the other side of the hill".

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

The only thing I am afraid of is fear.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Hard pounding this, gentlemen; let's see who will pound longest.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

The French system of conscription brings together a fair sample of all classes; ours is composed of the scum of the earth - the mere scum of the earth. It is only wonderful that we should be able to make so much out of them afterwards.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

I don't know what effect these men will have on the enemy, but by God, they terrify me.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

My rule always was to do the business of the day in the day.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

The whole art of war consists of guessing at what is on the other side of the hill.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

We always have been, we are, and I hope that we always shall be detested in France.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Just to show you how little reliance can be placed even on what are supposed the best accounts of a battle, I mention that there are some circumstances mentioned in General -'s account which did not occur as he relates them. It is impossible to say when each important occurrence took place, or in what order.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

You must build your House of Parliament on the river: so... that the populace cannot exact their demands by sitting down round you.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

I never saw so many shocking bad hats in my life.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

The history of a battle, is not unlike the history of a ball. Some individuals may recollect all the little events of which the great result is the battle won or lost, but no individual can recollect the order in which, or the exact moment at which, they occurred, which makes all the difference as to their value or importance...

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Napoleon has humbugged me, by God; he has gained twenty-four hours' march on me.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

I believe I forgot to tell you I was made a Duke.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

I have seen their backs before, madam.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

During the Peninsula War, I heard a Portuguese general address his troops before a battle with the words, "Remember men, you are Portuguese!"

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

If you believe that you will believe anything.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

There is no mistake; there has been no mistake; and there shall be no mistake.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Be discreet in all things, and so render it unnecessary to be mysterious.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington

Sparrow-hawks, Ma'am.

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington