Few leaders from World War II have the same sort of way with words as Winston Churchill. You can say what you want about the man, but he was certainly known for his pithy wit and the ability to rouse a populace through a speech. I’ve selected 9 of my favorite quotes from the man, and they might end up being your favorites too.
Government
“The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.“
When it comes to pithy remarks about the state of the world, you can expect Winston Churchill to deliver. While he loved his people deeply, the average person wasn’t thought of too highly by the man.
Fame
“The price of greatness is responsibility.“
There are few people in the English-speaking world to not know of Winston Churchill. This quote does have some merit, he was tasked with navigating the immense difficulties of World War II. The United Kingdom alone had to contend with the war in Europe and the Pacific.
Outlook
“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.“
You don’t expect upbeat quotes about what a difference attitude makes from Winston Churchill. However, if there is anyone who learned to see the best in a bad situation, it would be England’s most famous Prime Minister.
Self-Improvement
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.“
Now, I won’t claim Winston Churchill was a perfect man. But if there was anyone who understood the need to change and adapt to the times, it would be him. He crawled back from the disastrous Gallipoli campaign to hold the highest office in the United Kingdom.
Art
“Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. Without innovation, it is a corpse.“
This is a beautiful notion and one I would certainly expect from Winston Churchill. Art is the fabric of culture, a living tapestry of society’s achievements. It only makes sense that a willingness to innovate and change leads to a prosperous society.
A Willingness to Learn
“I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.“
The lessons life teaches us aren’t something we readily accept. Winston Churchill certainly had to understand this, given the tumultuous times when he made a name for himself. Being willing to learn from things at least puts you ahead of the rest of the people trying.
Truth
“The truth is incontrovertible. Malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there it is.“
The only thing truly absolute beyond death and taxes is the nature of truth. Now, I won’t say Winston Churchill never greased the wheel with a lie or two. However, I will say that I think he understood the importance of honesty when dealing with people.
Receiving Feedback
“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.“
No one enjoys being critiqued. However, there is something to be said about understanding and considering feedback when navigating things. When you’re in charge of a country, that is going to be something absolutely necessary to keep in mind.
Greatness
“Great and good are seldom the same man.“
There is something kicked around when discussing history called the Great Man. A Great Man isn’t a good man necessarily, and that is something that Winston Churchill is more than understanding of. Being someone regarded as a great leader means you sometimes have to make heinous choices to better serve the whole.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©chrisdorney/Shutterstock.com.
