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Quotations from Patton

Patton is a historical biographical drama about the life of U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II. The film displays Patton as he gives inspiring words to his troops before heading to war in North Africa. It continues with his life there, the war, and his final return home as a hero. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner. Starring George C. Scott, Karl Malden, Michael Bates, and Karl Michael Vogler. Based on the biography "Patton: Ordeal and Triumph" by Ladislas Farago and the memior "A Soldier's Story" by Omar Bradley.

Patton won seven Oscar awards, including Best Actor, Best Writing, and Best Director. The film is also preserved in the National Film Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." Read some quotes from one of the greatest biographical movies ever created, Patton, below.


Patton: Men, all this stuff you've heard about America not wanting to fight, wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans traditionally love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost, and will never lose a war... because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.
Patton: The Nazis are the enemy. Wade into them. Spill *their* blood. Shoot *them* in the belly.
Patton: Now I want you to remember that no bastard ever won a war by dying for his country. He won it by making the other poor dumb bastard die for his country.
Patton: This is a barracks; it's not a bordello.
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel: You can afford to be an optimist. I can't.
Patton: [referring to Rommel's book, 'Infantry Attacks' or 'Infanterie greift an'] Rommel... you magnificent bastard, *I read your book*!
Lt. Col. Charles R. Codman: You know General, sometimes the men don't know when you're acting.
Patton: It's not important for them to know. It's only important for me to know.
Patton: Thirty years from now, when you're sitting around your fireside with your grandson on your knee and he asks you, "What did you do in the great World War II," you won't have to say, "Well... I shoveled shit in Louisiana."
Clergyman: I was interested to see a Bible by your bed. You actually find time to read it?
Patton: I sure do. Every goddamn day.
General Alfred Jodl: This is the end... the end.
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