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Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington Quotes
1769–1852 United Kingdom
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852) was a British soldier and statesman. Rising to prominence during the Peninsular War, he became a national hero in Britain after the Napoleonic Wars during which he led the victorious Anglo-Allied forces at the Battle of Waterloo.
United Kingdom Military leaders Also known as: Arthur Wellesley, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington, Duke of Wellington, Wellesley, Arthur, Wellington
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48 quotes
Napoleon has humbugged me, by God; he has gained twenty-four hours' march on me.
They came on in the same old way, and we sent them back in the same old way.
During the Peninsula War, I heard a Portuguese general address his troops before a battle with the words, "Remember men, you are Portuguese!"
Not at all. If I had lost the battle, they would have shot me.
At first it was a lie, then a strong delusion, and at last downright madness.
I believe I forgot to tell you I was made a Duke.
Give me night or give me Blücher.
As Lord Chesterfield said of the generals of his day, "I only hope that when the enemy reads the list of their names, he trembles as I do."
Mistaken for me, is he? That's strange, for no one ever mistakes me for Mr. Jones.
I should have given more praise.
A History of Warfare (1968)
The French system of conscription brings together a fair sample of all classes; ours is composed of the scum of the earth — the mere scum of the earth. It is only wonderful that we should be able to make so much out of them afterwards.
Notes of Conversations with the Duke of Wellington (1886)
You must build your House of Parliament on the river: so... that the populace cannot exact their demands by sitting down round you.
Words on Wellington (1889)
Up, Guards, and at them again.
Buonaparte's whole life, civil, political, and military, was a fraud. There was not a transaction, great or small, in which lying and fraud were not introduced.
"For the mob, use grapeshot."
I have seen their backs before, madam.
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.
If anyone wishes to know the history of this war, I will tell them that it is our maritime superiority gives me the power of maintaining my army while the enemy are unable to do so.
The real question that now divides the country and which truly divides the House of Commons, is church or no church. People talk of the war in Spain, and the Canada question. But all that is of little moment. The real question is church or no church.
Statement (1838)
Buonaparte's mind was, in its details, low and ungentlemanlike. I suppose the narrowness of his early prospects and habits stuck to him; what we understand by gentlemanlike feelings he knew nothing at all about.
Remarks to John Wilson Croker (1826)
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