“I would find a nice peaceful town and spend the rest of my life in peace.”

If combat had taught me anything, it taught me what was essential in life and what wasn’t.

Take a moment of self-reflection. Look at yourself in the mirror every night and ask yourself if you did your best.

War exposes the best and worst of those who are called to fight. I know of no man who lacked character in peace and then discovered his character in combat.

The paratroopers were the best soldiers at the infantry school and I wanted to be with the best.

A leader should strive to be an individual of flawless character, technical competence, and moral courage.

Very few men can remain poised under an artillery concentration.

Never, ever give up regardless of the adversity.

There is no need to tell someone how to do his job if you have properly trained your team.

Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time.

Physical stamina is the root of mental toughness.

If you have character, that means the guy you are dealing with can trust you.

War is romantic only to those who are far away from the sounds and turmoil of battle.

The men trust in you, have faith in you, and they obey, no questions asked. That’s character in a nutshell.

The key to being a successful combat leader is to earn respect, not because of rank, but because you are a man.

Develop your team. If you know your people, are fair in setting realistic goals and expectations, and lead by example, you will develop teamwork.

If you are a leader, a fellow who other fellows look to, you have to keep going.

To perceive is to suffer.

Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.

You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.

Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.

Life and death are too resolute, too implacable to be accidental.

If I’d observed all the rules I’d never have got anywhere.

The literal meaning of life is whatever you’re doing that prevents you from killing yourself.

Love is a magic ray emitted from the burning core of the soul and illuminating the surrounding earth. It enables us to perceive life as a beautiful dream between one awakening and another.