What is your favorite random quote?

CPL Brendan Hayes — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:28:02 -0400

One of the things I enjoy most about reading is encountering random quotes that stick with me. Why I like each quote varies, but I tend to annoy family and friends with random literary quotes, so what quotes (military or otherwise) have you encountered in your reading that stick out in your memory? Please include the source of the quote and perhaps a brief explanation as to why.

Response by CPL Brendan Hayes made Aug 19 at 2015 5:31 PM

CPL Brendan Hayes — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:31:27 -0400

A quote I've encountered recently that I really liked:

“I do things like get in a taxi and say, 'The library, and step on it.'” David Foster Wallace "Infinite Jest"

I love that someone else would want to hurry to the library. It is fair to not that this line is said by someone in the middle of a mental breakdown, so maybe I should be concerned.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 19 at 2015 5:41 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:41:23 -0400

"This, too, shall pass." Ostensibly, it originated in medieval Persia.

I say it to myself whenever I'm doing or experiencing something unpleasant.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Aug 19 at 2015 5:55 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 17:55:40 -0400

quote: "It is what it is.".

Response by SPC Jeffrey Reese made Aug 19 at 2015 6:23 PM

SPC Jeffrey Reese — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 18:23:13 -0400

Today is tomorrows History so make it worth remembering!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 6:32 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 18:32:47 -0400

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."

- Isaac Newton

Response by CPT Maria Burns made Aug 19 at 2015 10:52 PM

CPT Maria Burns — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 22:52:52 -0400

"You should make a point of trying everything at least once, except perhaps incest and folk dancing." - Anonymous, The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 198-something. I've tried to live my life according to this, though I've tempered it with "anything illegal or immoral, and folk dancing."

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Aug 20 at 2015 1:34 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:34:52 -0400

“In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him. I think it’s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves. And then, in that very moment when I love them.... I destroy them.”
― Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game

Response by SPC Brian Aranda made Aug 20 at 2015 1:46 AM

SPC Brian Aranda — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 01:46:38 -0400

You are what you do, when it counts. - The Masao

From the book Armor, by John Steakley.

This means (for me) that true colors come out when the SHTF.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Aug 20 at 2015 9:35 AM

SFC Joseph Weber — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 09:35:52 -0400

History is the autobiography of a madman - Alexander Herzen
Just like it. History is sometimes insane. All the things we have done to each over the centuries.

Response by SMSgt Bryan Raines made Aug 20 at 2015 12:53 PM

SMSgt Bryan Raines — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 12:53:46 -0400

Not sure if this quote was in the book Princess Bride but “"Inconceivable." You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Especially since I am around people on a daily basis who obviously never had vocabulary in school.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 1:49 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 01:49:01 -0400

Only the dead have seen the end of war. -Plato

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2015 3:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Aug 2015 15:07:19 -0400

If you are early, then you are on time.
If you are on time, then you are late.
If you are late, then you are fired.
Anonymous

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 27 at 2015 4:58 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:58:00 -0400

The best quote from day 1 at my first base was a statement made by Retured MSgt Dennis Holden... " There is no such thing as common sense". To this day when I find myself getting frustrated with people whether subordinate, peer or someone that out ranks me... I remember Dennis Holden's statement.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2015 3:16 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 15:16:41 -0400

Leaders are readers

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 6 at 2015 6:58 AM

CW4 Guy Butler — Sun, 06 Sep 2015 06:58:19 -0400

"Murphy was an optimist."

Response by Pvt Richard Hy made Sep 8 at 2015 3:12 PM

Pvt Richard Hy — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:12:48 -0400

I find a Clint Eastwood quote very applicable - " A man has got to know his limitations".
Also, a notable Sailor liked to say " I am what I am and that's all that I am"

Response by Pvt Richard Hy made Sep 8 at 2015 3:26 PM

Pvt Richard Hy — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 15:26:22 -0400

It is very difficult to follow an inept or incompetent leader, which in itself is motivation to want to lead.
If you don't know something there is no shame in asking for guidance as our knowledge is limited to our own experience or by observing others. You do everyone a disservice by leading in ignorance and showing yourself unfit for the task at hand.
I have always tried to lead by example. I would not ask anyone to do something that I was not willing, able or had done myself so there would be no argument for abuse. I have found that others are more willing to follow those who appreciate the work and position of the ones actually doing the work. Small rewards go a long way.

Response by SSG Michael Hathaway made Sep 21 at 2015 8:53 AM

SSG Michael Hathaway — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 08:53:28 -0400

"I aim to misbehave." - Malcolm Reynolds, Serenity

While its not a serious quote by a real person, I still like it considering the context in which it was said. Plus one of my favorite TV shows/movie.

Response by LCpl Steve Zupan made Jul 6 at 2019 12:18 AM

LCpl Steve Zupan — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 00:18:38 -0400

For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.

Thomas Jefferson