Michael Korda Quotes

Those of us who have not had the experience of being invaded by the Germans are in no position to criticize those who accommodated themselves to German occupation, with its ferocious punishments for those who expressed even the mildest opposition.

France was an occupied country, a country that surrendered and was left without the right to choose.

That which is given in submission becomes a medium of defiance.

When you try to battle with John Ford, you have to give in.

I spent a lot of years trying to beat the system and, in the end, the system kicked my behind good.

In the fight between you and the world, back the world.

I will be conquered; I will not capitulate.

Any man who does not accept the conditions of life sells his soul.

Those who go along get along.

If a man can beat you, walk him.

Oppression that is clearly inexorable and invincible does not give rise to revolt but to submission.

Let me live and I will do all you wish.

You can’t run the railroads without taking in some Nazi party members

'Il faut vivre' might almost be the French national motto from 1940 to June 1944, but who is to say ours would have been any different if the Germans had paraded victoriously through London and Generalfeldmarschall Von Runstedt made his headquarters at Claridge's?

Something about giving in without a fight felt wrong.

Men do not settle down. Men surrender.

(J)ust to clarify: If you go into every situation saying there's absolutely nothing worth fighting over, you will inevitably end up on a cot sleeping next to a guy named Tiny, bringing him breakfast in his cell every morning, and spending your afternoons ironing his boxers. Or, in the case of the French, you might spend your afternoon rounding up Jews to send to Germany, but you get the point.

Thus does a 'necessary evil' become an idol. Maybe we're stuck with it. But do we have to worship it?

Donneven, Bettaquit and Mmmhmmmm

There is a difference between giving into something and accepting it.

Cowardice is submissive surrender to circumstances.

Where there is a choice of two evils, most men take both.

You concede nothing to me and I have to concede everything to you.

Here is a paper with which, if I cannot whip Bobbie Lee, I will be willing to go home!