General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was born on the 26th of January, 1880 in MacArthur Museum of Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. He was an American five-star general and Field Marshal of the Philippine Army.
Douglas MacArthur was best known for his command of Allied forces in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the Philippines campaign, which made him and his father Arthur MacArthur Jr. the first father and son to be awarded the medal.
He led the United Nations Command in the Korean War with initial success; however, the controversial invasion of North Korea provoked Chinese intervention, and a series of major defeats. Douglas MacArthur died in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 1964, at the age of 84.
Below, we have compiled a collection of popular Douglas MacArthur quotes and sayings.
60 Douglas MacArthur Quotes About Life, War & Leadership
“A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Give me ten thousand Filipino soldiers and I will conquer the world.”― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope as old as your despair. In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber. So long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer and courage, so long are you young. When your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and then only, are you grown old. And then, indeed as the ballad says, you just fade away” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“I am concerned for the security of our great Nation; not so much because of any treat from without, but because of the insidious forces working from within.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Once war is forced upon us, there is no alternative than to apply every available means to bring it to a swift end. War’s very object is victory-not prolonged indecision.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“You don’t win wars by dying for your country you win wars by making the other son of a bi*tch die for his” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Today the guns are silent. A great tragedy has ended. A great victory has been won…
A new era is upon us. Even the lesson of victory itself brings with it profound concern, both for our future security and the survival of civilization. The destructiveness of the war potential, through progressive advances in scientific discovery, has in fact now reached a point which revises the traditional concepts of war.
Men since the beginning of time have sought peace… Military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn have failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our matchless advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
A new era is upon us. Even the lesson of victory itself brings with it profound concern, both for our future security and the survival of civilization. The destructiveness of the war potential, through progressive advances in scientific discovery, has in fact now reached a point which revises the traditional concepts of war.
Men since the beginning of time have sought peace… Military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn have failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. We have had our last chance. If we do not now devise some greater and more equitable system, Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence and improvement of human character that will synchronize with our matchless advances in science, art, literature and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“And like the old soldier in that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the sight to see that duty.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“If there is anything that makes my blood boil it is to see our allies in Indochina and Java deploying Japanese troops to reconquer the little people we promised to liberate. It is the most ignoble kind of betrayal.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
It is part of the general pattern of misguided policy that our country is now geared to an arms economy which was bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and nurtured upon an incessant propaganda of fear.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
In my dreams I hear again the crash of guns, the rattle of musketry, the strange, mournful mutter of the battlefield.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Part of the American dream is to live long and die young. Only those Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Could I have but a line a century hence crediting a contribution to the advance of peace, I would yield every honor which has been accorded by war.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
In war, when a commander becomes so bereft of reason and perspective that he fails to understand the dependence of arms on Divine guidance, he no longer deserves victory.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I’ll come back as soon as I can with as much as I can. In the meantime, you’ve got to hold!― Douglas MacArthur Quote
The President of the United States ordered me to break through the Japanese lines and proceed from Corregidor to Australia for the purpose, as I understand it, of organizing the American offensive against Japan, a primary objective of which is the relief of the Philippines. I came through and I shall return.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
The outfit soon took on color, dash and a unique flavor which is the essence of that elusive and deathless thing called soldiering.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I stand on this rostrum with a sense of deep humility and great pride – humility in the weight of those great American architects of our history who have stood here before me; pride in the reflection that this home of legislative debate represents human liberty in the purest form yet devised.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
If I had one more division like this First Marine Division I could win this war.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
A general is just as good or just as bad as the troops under his command make him.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Last, but by no means least, courage of one’s convictions, the courage to see things through. The world is in a constant conspiracy against the brave. It’s the age-old struggle_ the roar of the crowd on one side and the voice of your conscience on the other.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“The enemy is in front of us, the enemy is behind us, the enemy is to the right and to the left of us. They can’t get away this time!” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.”― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“I had learned one of the bitter lessons of life: never try to regain the past, the fire will have become ashes.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“This does not mean that you are warmongers. On the contrary, the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. But always in our ears ring the ominous words of Plato, that wisest of all philosophers: “Only the dead have seen the end of war.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Rules are mostly made to be broken and are too often for the lazy to hide behind” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“People of the Philippines: I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God our forces stand again on Philippine soil—soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples. We have come dedicated and committed to the task of destroying every vestige of enemy control over your daily lives, and of restoring upon a foundation of indestructible strength, the liberties of your people.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“The history of the failure of war can almost be summed up in two words: too late.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Roosevelt is dead: a man who would never tell the truth when a lie would serve him just as well.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“For the sentimentalism and emotionalism which have infested our country, we should substitute hard common sense. Pacific habits do not insure peace or immunity from national insult and aggression.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I’ve looked that old scoundrel death in the eye many times but this time I think he has me on the ropes.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I have known war as few men now living know it. It’s very destructiveness on both friend and foe has rendered it useless as a means of settling international disputes.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
One cannot wage war under present conditions without the support of public opinion, which is tremendously molded by the press and other forms of propaganda.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Our country is now geared to an arms economy bred in an artificially induced psychosis of war hysteria and an incessant propaganda of fear.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
While Asia is commonly referred to as the Gateway to Europe, it is no less true that Europe is the Gateway to Asia, and the broad influence of the one cannot fail to have its impact upon the other.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
By profession I am a Soldier & take pride in that fact, but I am prouder to be a father.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I have one criticism about the Negro troops who fought under my command in the Korean War. They didn’t send me enough of them.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Let us pray that peace be now restored to the world, and that God will preserve it always.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Many will tell you with mockery and ridicule that the abolition of war can only be a dream . . . But we must go on or we will all go under. And the great criticism that can be made is that the world lacks a plan that will enable us to go on . . . We must have sufficient imagination and courage to translate the universal wish for peace – which is rapidly becoming a universal necessity – into actuality.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
From the Far East I send you one single thought, one sole idea – written in red on every beachhead from Australia to Tokyo – “There is no substitute for victory!”― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I know that this operation will be sort of helter-skelter. But the First Marine Division is going to win the war by landing at Inchon.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Apart from an innate grasp of tactical concepts, a great coach must possess the essentials attributes of leadership which mold men into a cohesive, fighting team with an invincible will to victory.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
The great question is, can war be outlawed from the world? If so, it would mark the greatest advance in civilization since the Sermon on the Mount.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I can recall no parallel in history where a great nation recently at war has so distinguished its former enemy commander.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
We are bound no longer by the straitjacket of the past and nowhere is the change greater than in our profession of arms. What, you may well ask, will be the end of all of this? I would not know! But I would hope that our beloved country will drink deep from the chalice of courage.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
My staff was unanimous in believing that Japan was on the point of collapse and surrender.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
While no man in his right mind would advocate sending our ground forces into continental China, and such was never given a thought, the new situation did urgently demand a drastic revision of strategic planning if our political aim was to defeat this new enemy as we had defeated the old.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
While I was not consulted prior to the President’s decision to intervene in support of the Republic of Korea, that decision from a military standpoint, proved a sound one, as we hurled back the invader and decimated his forces. Our victory was complete, and our objectives within reach, when Red China intervened with numerically superior ground forces.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I believe that the entire effort of modern society should be concentrated on the endeavor to outlaw war as a method of the solution of problems between nations.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I suppose, in a way, this has become part of my soul. It is a symbol of my life. Whatever I have done that really matters, I’ve done wearing it. When the time comes, it will be in this that I journey forth. What greater honor could come to an American, and a soldier?― Douglas MacArthur Quote
They died hard, those savage men – like wounded wolves at bay. They were filthy, and they were lousy, and they stunk. And I loved them.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!― Douglas MacArthur Quote
In war, you win or lose, live or die – and the difference is just an eyelash.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Duty, Honor, Country” — those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be. They are your rallying point to build courage when courage seems to fail, to regain faith when there seems to be little cause for faith, to create hope when hope becomes forlorn…” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“…that democracy works and will always work, because the people are allowed to think, to talk, and keep their minds free, open, and supple.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Few names have left a firmer imprint upon the pages of the history of American times than has that of Ty Cobb… he seems to have understood that in the competition of baseball, just as in war, defensive strategy never has produced ultimate victory.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Our government has kept us in a perpetual state of fear — kept us in a continuous stampede of patriotic fervor — with the cry of grave national emergency… Always there has been some terrible evil to gobble us up if we did not blindly rally behind it by furnishing the exorbitant sums demanded. Yet, in retrospect, these disasters seem never to have happened, seem never to have been quite real.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that on other days, on other fields will bear the fruits of victory.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid, one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
20 Short Douglas MacArthur Quotes& Sayings
“We are not retreating – we are advancing in another Direction” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“There is no security on this earth; there is only opportunity.”― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“I realize that advice is worth what it costs–that is, nothing.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
The best luck of all is the luck you make for yourself.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
A better world shall emerge based on faith and understanding.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Only those are fit to live who are not afraid to die.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
My first recollection is that of a bugle call.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Never ask age of a woman.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Life is a lively process of becoming.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Men since the beginning of time have sought peace.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Training distinguishes an army from an armed mob.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
In war there is no substitute for victory.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Whether in chains or in laurels, liberty knows nothing but victories.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
Never give an order that can’t be obeyed.― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Americans never quit.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.”― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“Age wrinkles the body; quitting wrinkles the soul.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“It is fatal to enter an war without the will to win it.”― Douglas MacArthur Quote
“You are remembered for the rules you break.” ― Douglas MacArthur Quote