Thread by @Bigbounce01

A #thread on some of the most badass things ever said by a historical figure.

1. General George Patton

George Smith Patton Jr. was a general of the United States Army who commanded the U.S. Seventh Army in the Mediterranean theater of World War II, and the U.S. Third Army in France and Germany after the Allied invasion of Normandy in June 1944.

During WWII before one of the battles he was reputed to have said:

“As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because I am the most evil man in the valley.”

To be frank, he looks it.

2. General Nathan Bedford Forest

Nathan Bedford Forrest was an accomplished Confederate Army general during the American Civil War and a prominent, post-war leader of the Ku Klux Klan.

“No damn man kills me and lives to tell about it!”- He said this after being shot at by a subordinate officer. He killed the man.

3. Joseph Tito, Former President of Yugoslavia.

Stalin, the leader of Russia had been trying to kill Tito. After another failed attempt he sent a message to Stalin...

“To Stalin: Stop sending people to kill me! We’ve already captured five of them, one with a bomb and another with a rifle… If you don’t stop sending killers, I’ll send a very fast working one to Moscow and I certainly won’t have to send another!”

4. Monsieur Talleyrand

God gave mankind speech to conceal their thoughts, do not trust anyone Monsieur L’Empereur. - Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, French diplomat and Minister of Foreign Affairs under 3 kings, 1 Emperor and a triumvirate…

5. King Olav V of Norway

BBC reporter: Isn’t your Majesty afraid for your safety without any security?

Olav V: I have 4 million bodyguards.

Olav V of Norway answer to a BBC reporter astonished by his lack of bodyguards during the 1973 oil crisis, as the King paid his fare as any other passenger,

...on the tramway to Holmenkollen to enjoy his favourite hobby: skiing. The population of Norway at the time was 4 million.

6. Emiliano Zapata( Leading figure in the Spanish revolution)

"I would rather die on my feet than live on my knees’’

7. Genghis Khan( Founder of the Mongol Empire)

"I am the punishment of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.’’

8. Robert Surcouf( French Military Officer)

British officer: “You French fight for money, while we British fight for honor.”

,, Robert Surcouf: “Sir, a man fights for what he lacks the most.’’

9. Sir Winston Churchill

“History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it.”

Churchill's way of saying was that he was going to be the winner, as well as the keeper of his own legacy. In response to Hitler’s quote “The victor will never be asked if he told the truth. ”

10. Diogenes of Sinope( Philosopher)

Alexander the Great: Is there anything you desire?

Diogenes: Yes, step out of the way, you're blocking the sun from reaching me.

It is said that Alexander was so struck by this, and admired so much the haughtiness and grandeur of the man who had nothing but scorn for him, that he said to his followers,

who were laughing and jesting about the philosopher as they went away,

"But truly, if I were not Alexander, I wish I were Diogenes."

Diogenes replied "If I wasn't Diogenes, I would be wishing to be Diogenes too."

to be continued...

11. Giles Corey

Giles Corey was an English-born American farmer who was accused of witchcraft along with his wife Martha Corey during the Salem witch trials.

After being arrested, Corey refused to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

He was eventually sentenced to death by pressing.

During his execution instead of beg for mercy, he kept saying "more weight" until he died.

12. Joseph Stalin

He once remarked that "In the Soviet army it takes more courage to retreat than advance."

This was because the Soviet Army had a special unit dedicated to tracking and apprehending deserters.

This unit was composed of some really terrible individuals with broad powers.

13. King George III

“A traitor is everyone who does not agree with me.”

The man had a point though. I mean one can't just disagree with the king or next thing you know, everyone has an opinion and then it's a democracy.

14. General Kurt Von Hammerstein

"I divide my officers into four groups. There are clever, diligent, stupid, and lazy officers. Usually two characteristics are combined. Some are clever and diligent -- their place is the General Staff. The next lot are stupid and lazy -- they make up 90 percent

...of every army and are suited to routine duties.

Anyone who is both clever and lazy is qualified for the highest leadership duties, because he possesses the intellectual clarity and the composure necessary for difficult decisions.

One must beware of anyone who is stupid and diligent -- he must not be entrusted with any responsibility because he will always cause only mischief.”

Deeply Insightful stuff there by the General.

15. Marquis de Favras

I see that you have made three spelling mistakes,”

Spoken by Marquis de Favras when he read his death warrant.

This guy should be the patron saint of proper grammar.

"I see that you have made three spelling mistakes,”

Spoken by Marquis de Favras when he read his death warrant.

16. Duke of Wellington

"I have seen their backs before, Madam."

Spoken by the Duke of Wellington when a maid asked him if he was bothered that French officers turned their backs to him while he was at a banquet at Vienna.

One must understand that he'd defeated the French at Waterloo recently.

17. Colonel Creighton Abrams

During WWII, December of 1944, Abrams was commanding troops in the town of Bastogne, Belgium.

Abrams and his men were outnumbered, and the building they were hiding in was surrounded by German troops. They were taking fire.

All of Abrams’s men were scared. Many thought that this was the end for them—that there was no way out.

But not Creighton Abrams.

The Germans had fucked with the wrong guy.

Abrams was determined to keep both himself and his men alive, and there was nothing that was going to stop him from doing just that.

And with this determination in mind, Abrams said one of the most badass lines in history:

“They’ve got us surrounded again, the poor bastards.”

18. General Robert Nivelle( The Original Gandalf)

During the First World War, French General Robert Nivelle ordered his troops to stand against an impending attack from the Germans, by shouting: “Comrades, they shall not pass!”

19. Lt. Gen. Lewis Chesty Puller

“They’re on our right, they’re on our left, they’re in front of us, they’re behind us! They can’t get away from us this time!”

20. Mohammed Gadaffi

"Those who do not love me do not deserve to live"

#curated