Duke of Wellington Battle Quotations

Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle gained.

Next to a lost battle, nothing is so sad as a battle that has been won.

Just to show you how little reliance can be placed even on what are supposed the best accounts of a battle, I mention that there are some circumstances mentioned in General -'s account which did not occur as he relates them. It is impossible to say when each important occurrence took place, or in what order.

I attribute my success on the battlefield to always being on the spot to see and do everything for myself

Nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won.

The battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton.

The history of a battle, is not unlike the history of a ball. Some individuals may recollect all the little events of which the great result is the battle won or lost, but no individual can recollect the order in which, or the exact moment at which, they occurred, which makes all the difference as to their value or importance. ..

During the Peninsula War, I heard a Portuguese general address his troops before a battle with the words, "Remember men, you are Portuguese!