George S. Patton Quotes

I learned at a very early age, listening to those around my family, that in order to be a commander, you had to walk your post.

I cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself.

If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame.

I wouldn't ask anyone to do anything I wouldn't do myself.

How can I govern others, who can't even govern myself?

I try to work hard. I try to set a good example. I don't look at it as though I've got to be a leader. I just try to behave the way I think I should behave. If that results in a leadership role, great.

Obedience to lawful authority is the foundation of manly character.

All the things that most kids hated, I loved. I loved that things were asked of me and that, much to my surprise, I was able to do them. I loved the 10 o'clock bedtime. I loved the responsibility.

The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves.

He who has never learned to obey cannot be a good commander.

I expect you to be a leader, to supervise by example, to lead, not simply order others to do hard jobs. I will hold you personally responsible for the operations under you. If one of your men makes an error, you as well as he will be accountable.

It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.

The most important thing Spartans must learn is to know how to govern, and to be governed

When you find yourself in a position of leadership, people follow your every move … When the leader talks, people listen. When the leader acts, people watch. So you have to be careful about everything you say and everything you do

Leaders should not ask others to do what they will not do themselves.

It's a very good thing to teach kids to finish what they started in the sense of fulfilling their commitments. So when my daughter told me on the second track meet that she was done with it because she discovered she didn't like competing, I made her finish the season.

To be a leader, regardless of what party you're in, is to tell your followers what lines not to cross.

I learned from my dad and my mom somebody should only have to tell you once. Whether it's me getting in trouble, they said I should only have to tell you once. I've kind of took that and made that for all aspects.

It's hard for me to come up with a plan and hold my players accountable until I self-evaluate and hold myself accountable.

Real men hold themselves accountable for stuff.

The standards you establish for others must reflect the standards you set for yourself. No one will follow a hypocrite.

Don't ask people to do something you wouldn't.

In football, it's the job of the player to play, the coach to coach, the official to officiate. Each guy is charged with upholding his end, nothing more. In golf, the player, coach and official are rolled into one, and they overlap completely. Golf really is the best microcosm of life - or at least the way life should be.

In the military, as in any organization, giving the order might be the easiest part. Execution is the real game.

I just try to do my best and make the best judgments I can.