Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf’s Best Quotes

The general who commanded coalition troops in the first Gulf War was known for his straight talk as well as his battle prowess. The Daily Beast assembles some of the most pithy remarks of Norman Schwarzkopf, who died Thursday at age 78.

America loves a tough, no-nonsense general with a few stars on his collar and patriotic and wise battle talk coming from his mouth. Such was the case with Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, who became a legend after leading American and coalition forces to victory in the Persian Gulf War. The 78-year-old retired member of the military’s top brass was known for his inspiring quips and one-liners and his bluntly expressed opinions. We round up some of the most pithy comments from the general, who died Thursday of complications of pneumonia.

“War is a profane thing.”

“The truth of the matter is that you always know the right thing to do. The hard part is doing it.”

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.”

“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”

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