“I am reminded of the professor who in his declining hours was asked by his devoted pupils for his final counsel. He replied, Verify your quotations.”
Winston Churchill
Churchill reflecting on the need to fact-check his own speeches, as he considered whether he was the first to use the phrase unconditional surrender as a war aim.
The Second World War (Primary source)
Churchill’s six-volume memoir and history of World War II, chronicling his leadership as Britain’s wartime Prime Minister. Combining personal experience with strategic analysis, it covers major battles, diplomatic negotiations, and key decisions that shaped Allied victory. The work earned Churchill the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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“You do your worst—and we will do our best.”
— Winston Churchill Primary source“Never give in—never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.”
— Winston Churchill Primary source“Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.”
— Winston Churchill Primary source“When I look back on all these worries, I remember the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened.”
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“Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
— George Orwell Primary source“You may delay, but time will not.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Do not do that which you would not have known.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source