24 Quotes by James Mattis

You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it’s going to be bad.

You are part of the world’s most feared and trusted force. Engage your brain before you engage your weapon.

No war is over until the enemy says it’s over. We may think it over, we may declare it over, but in fact, the enemy gets a vote.

Be the hunter, not the hunted: Never allow your unit to be caught with its guard down.

If in order to kill the enemy you have to kill an innocent, don’t take the shot. Don’t create more enemies than you take out by some immoral act.

We’ve backed off in good faith to try and give you a chance to straighten this problem out. But I am going to beg with you for a minute. I’m going to plead with you, do not cross us. Because if you do, the survivors will write about what we do here for 10,000 years.

You’ve been told that you’re broken, that you’re damaged goods and should be labeled victims. I don’t buy it. The truth, instead, is that you are the only folks with the skills, determination, and values to ensure American dominance in this chaotic world.

There is nothing better than getting shot at and missed. It’s really great.

Ultimately, a real understanding of history means that we face NOTHING new under the sun.