Bainbridge Colby Quotes

Every good citizen makes his country's honor his own, and cherishes it not only as precious but as sacred. He is willing to risk his life in its defense and its conscious that he gains protection while he gives it.

Truth is always your first sacrifice to the welfare of the state

A good subject makes it his rule to prefer the public welfare to everything else, bravely to sacrifice his fortune, and his private interests, and even his life, for the preservation of the state; and to employ all his abilities and his industry to advance the honor, and to procure the advantage of his native country.

Let me be very clear: my friendship with my friends ends where the interest of the country begins.

I am willing to serve my country, but do not wish to sacrifice the brave men under my command.

England expects that every man will do his duty.

Why should one U.S. airman give up his life when our national security is not in imminent danger?

The security of our nation depends on the men and women who are willing to sacrifice their safety, and possibly their lives, to protect the freedoms the rest of us enjoy.

Patriotism demands the ability to feel shame as much as to feel pride.

Worthless is the nation that does not gladly stake its all on its honor.

I want you to know that everything I did, I did for my country.

My son joined the army to protect America, not Israel.

As young West Point cadets, our motto was 'duty, honor, country.' But it was in the field, from the rice paddies of Southeast Asia to the sands of the Middle East, that I learned that motto's fullest meaning. There I saw gallant young Americans of every race, creed and background fight, and sometimes die, for 'duty, honor, and their country.'

The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts in the hour of danger.

I would prefer being in a hard battle; however, I will be satisfied with whatever happens to me in this war, if only the country comes out of this peril safe and to the satisfaction of the finest and best government on earth.

We reserve our deepest respect and admiration for those who volunteer for service and give their lives to help keep our nation secure.

I think serving your government is the greatest thing in the world.

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

We, the People, recognize that we have responsibilities as well as rights; that our destinies are bound together; that a freedom which only asks what's in it for me, a freedom without a commitment to others, a freedom without love or charity or duty or patriotism, is unworthy of our founding ideals, and those who died in their defense.

I swear in front of my mother’s grave and in the presence of God, that I shall not hesitate to join her if this be necessary for the defense of the sovereignty which the nation has won at the cost of so much blood. I deem it a debt of conscience and honor to give my life for the sake of national sovereignty.

There are things a man must not do to save a nation.

You’re not saying “No” to me. You’re saying “No” to the presidency and to your country. Hasn’t your country been pretty good to you?

The Imperial [military] forces exist as moral entities. They defend not only Japan’s territorial needs, but also the enterprising spirit of the state and its everlasting nature, which is coeval with heaven and earth.

We will never bring disgrace to this, our country, by any act of cowardice. We will fight for the ideals of this, our country. We will revere and obey the laws. We will strive to quicken our sense of civic duty. Thus, in all these ways, we will transmit this country greater, better, stronger, prouder and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us.

There will always be men who from malice or for money will betray their kith and kin and there will always be men who, from love of adventure or a sense of duty, will risk a shameful death to secure information valuable to their country.