Quotes about battle
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“And we also know that life itself is a seemingly endless battle. A battle between what is good and bad in us. What we can only possibly win by the only way, which is to conquer and defeat ourselves.”

Titon Rahmawan

Life, Way

“In every battle, we don't always win. Perhaps we are defeated more often than not. We are made to hurt and suffer. We are made to cry and mourn each defeat, but we must not stop there. Because tomorrow there will be another battle. As long as we still have hope we must believe that one day we will win the battle. What can defeat us is the weakness of our own soul. We are not winners if we are unable to overcome our own fears and worries.”

Titon Rahmawan

Fear, Hope, Soul, Suffering

Titon Rahmawan

Fear, Hope, Soul, Suffering

“Can you see other people's battles as your own? There are so many similarities in every war in this world. Some are fighting for freedom and independence. Some fight for principles and ideals. But there are also those who fight only for their blind faith and ego.”

Titon Rahmawan

War, People, World, Faith

Titon Rahmawan

War, People, World, Faith

“It's the age-old battle between mind and heart, which seldom want the same thing.”

Dan Brown book Inferno

Source: Inferno

Age, Heart

“Angels and demons were identical--interchangeable archetypes--all a matter of polarity. The guardian angel who conquered your enemy in battle was perceived by your enemy as a demon destroyer.”

Dan Brown book The Lost Symbol

Source: The Lost Symbol

Angels

“In a battle between two ideas, the best one doesn't necessarily win. No, the idea that wins is the one with the most fearless heretic behind it.”

Seth Godin (1960) American entrepreneur, author and public speaker

Source: Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us

Idea

“During our lives… we experience so many setbacks, and fight such a hand-to-hand battle with failure, head down in the rain, just trying to stay upright and to have a little hope.”

Lance Armstrong book It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Source: It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life

Hope, Failure, Fight

“I’m sorry ma’am,” I said. Really, I had no idea what else to say. I’d spent the weekend caught up in an epic battle to save humanity, and now… jean shorts?”

Richelle Mead book The Golden Lily

Source: The Golden Lily

Idea

“I survive all those battles," she growled, "and I get defeated by a stupid chunk of rock!”

Rick Riordan book The Last Olympian

Source: The Last Olympian

Stupidity

“To dwellers in a wood almost every species of tree has its voice as well as its feature. At the passing of the breeze the fir-trees sob and moan no less distinctly than they rock; the holly whistles as it battles with itself; the ash hisses amid its quiverings; the beech rustles while its flat boughs rise and fall.”

Thomas Hardy Under the Greenwood Tree

Source: Under the Greenwood Tree (1872), ch. 1

Tree

“A crossbow?” Pigeon asked.
I left my battle-ax in my other jeans,” the man said.”

Brandon Mull The Candy Shop War

Source: The Candy Shop War

“Emma, I'm sorry, I can't help you. This is a disaster. You're completely vulnerable. It's like going into battle in a nightie.”

Sophie Kinsella book Can You Keep a Secret?

Source: Can You Keep a Secret?

Help

“Old age isn't a battle; old age is a massacre.”

Philip Roth book Everyman

Source: Everyman (2006)

Age

“The dream is like a river, ever changing as it flows and the dreamer just a vessel that must follow where it goes. We must lean from what's behind us never knowing what's in store keeps each day a contant battle just to stay between the shore”

Garth Brooks (1962) American country music artist

The River, written by Victoria Shaw and G. Brooks.
Song lyrics, Ropin' the Wind (1991)
Context: You know a dream is like a river,
Ever changin' as it flows.
And a dreamer's just a vessel
That must follow where it goes.
Trying to learn from what's behind you,
And never knowing what's in store
Makes each day a constant battle
Just to stay between the shores... andI will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry.
Like a bird upon the wind,
These waters are my sky.
I'll never reach my destination
If I never try.
So I will sail my vessel
'Til the river runs dry.

Dreams, Change

“When heaven joins the battle against you, who could stand?”

Stephen R. Lawhead book Hood

Source: Hood

“A battle is won by him who is firmly resolved to win it.”

Leo Tolstoy book War and Peace

Source: War and Peace

“Only a battle lost is sadder than a battle won.”

Robert Jordan The Fires of Heaven

Source: The Fires of Heaven

“The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to those who see it coming and jump aside.”

Hunter S. Thompson The Rum Diary

Source: 1990s, The Rum Diary (1998)

Strong

“some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul.”

Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Soul

“I am like a snake who has already bitten. I retreat from a direct battle while knowing the slow effect of the poison.”

Anaïs Nin book Incest: From a Journal of Love

Source: Incest: From a Journal of Love

“Kiss me, Hardy!’ Weren’t those Nelson’s last words at the Battle of Trafalgar? Don’t cry. We’re still alive and we make a sensational team.”

Elizabeth Wein book Code Name Verity

Source: Code Name Verity

Kiss, Cry

“All life battles teach us something, even those we lose”

Paulo Coelho book The Fifth Mountain

Source: The Fifth Mountain

Life

“Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.”

Jonathan Kozol (1936) American activist and educator

Success

“Your battles inspired me - not the obvious material battles but those that were fought and won behind your forehead.”

James Joyce (1882–1941) Irish novelist and poet

“Defend the weak, protect both young and old, never desert your friends. Give justice to all, be fearless in battle and always ready to defend the right."

—The law of Badger Lords”

Brian Jacques book Lord Brocktree

Source: Lord Brocktree

Justice, Law

“Shadowhunters don't say good-bye, not before a battle. Or good luck. You must behave as if return is certain, not a matter of chance”

Cassandra Clare book Clockwork Angel

Source: Clockwork Angel

Chance

“You don't get it, Clary. You don't understand what it's like to live always at war, to grow up with battle and sacrifice. I guess it's not your fault. It's just how you were brought up”

Cassandra Clare book City of Glass

Source: City of Glass

War, Understanding

“The illusions it had woven for me had taken place only in my head. The battle had been invisible to the naked eye, but the hardest ones are.”

Karen Marie Moning (1964) author

Source: Shadowfever

“The price of freedom is the willingness to do sudden battle anywhere, any time and with utter recklessness.”

Robert A. Heinlein (1907–1988) American science fiction author

Freedom, Time

“She shrieks above the din. "If you wish a battle, I shall give it. I am the last of my kind. I shall not lie down without a fight.”

Libba Bray book The Sweet Far Thing

Source: The Sweet Far Thing

Lie, Fight

“Happiness is something you lay siege to, it is a battle like a game of go. I will take hold of all the pain and snuff it out.”

Shan Sa book The Girl Who Played Go

Source: The Girl Who Played Go

Pain, Happiness, Game

“Relationships are a battle. They are a chess game. And what did I do? I just threw all my chess pieces down on the board at once, and said, "Here! Have them all!”

Sophie Kinsella book Can You Keep a Secret?

Source: Can You Keep a Secret?

Game

“To die,
so young to die.
No, no, not I,
I love the warm sunny skies,
light, song, shining eyes,
I want no war, no battle cry,
No, no, not I.”

Hannah Senesh (1921–1944) Jewish poet and anti-nazi fighter in World War II

Love, War, Light, Cry

“Desjardins was literally fuming. His tattered robes still smoked from battle. (Carter says I shouldn’t mention that his pink boxer shorts were showing, but they were!)”

Rick Riordan book The Red Pyramid

Source: The Red Pyramid

“The battle had been invisible to the naked eye, but the hardest ones are.”

Karen Marie Moning (1964) author

Source: Shadowfever

“The father’s job is to teach his children how to be warriors, to give them the confidence to get on the horse to ride into battle when it’s necessary to do so. If you don’t get that from your father, you have to teach yourself.”

Cheryl Strayed book Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Source: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Children, Confidence, Horse

“You might have lost some major battles, but you survived and you're still here.”

Paulo Coelho book Manuscript Found in Accra

Source: Manuscript Found in Accra

“Life is gamble, It's harsh and painful most of the time, and it's not for the timid. Spoils go to the victor, not to the one who doesn't even show up for the battle."

-Acheron”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Night Play

Life, Pain, Time

“The battle cry sort of gave you away. Try not to yell next time.”

Richelle Mead Vampire Academy

Source: Vampire Academy

Time, Cry

“Harry Dresden: The noise was deafening, and no one could have heard me anyway as I let out my own battle cry, which I figured was worth a shot. What the hell. "I don't believe in faeries!"”

Jim Butcher book Summer Knight

Source: The Dresden Files, Summer Knight (2002), Chapter 31

Hell, Cry

“In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless but planning is indispensable.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969) American general and politician, 34th president of the United States (in office from 1953 to 1961)

Quoted in Six Crises (1962) by Richard Nixon, and Quotation number 18611 in The Columbia World of Quotations http://www.bartleby.com/66/11/18611.html <br class="br">1960s

“Yet man will never be perfect until he learns to create and destroy; he does know how to destroy, and that is half the battle.”

Alexandre Dumas book The Count of Monte Cristo

Source: The Count of Monte Cristo

Learning, Perfection

“My Akri says that tragedy and adversity are the stones we sharpen our swords against ao that we can fight new battles.- Simi”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Variant: Tragedy and adversary are the stones we sharpen our swords against so we can fight new battles.
Source: Infinity

Fight

“As always at these times when he felt really in need of God the front of his mind was serene, but the deeper part, where faith did constant battle with doubt, was terrified that there would be no answer.”

Stephen King book Desperation

Source: Desperation

God, Faith, Time, Parting

“I am aware that the battle I am fighting is a petty one, but I am also aware that in order to win that which is great, you must first win that which is small.”

James Frey book A Million Little Pieces

Source: A Million Little Pieces

Fight

“The innocent should never have to suffer from the battles of others. (Valerius)
I know, but it seems to always be the case. (Acheron)
A furore infra, libera nos - spare us from the fury within. (Valerius)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon (1965) Novelist

Source: Bad Moon Rising

Suffering

“Don’t keep fighting battles that are already lost.”

David Nicholls book One Day

Source: One Day

Fight

“Poppies bleed petals of sheer excess. You and I, this sweet battle ground.”

Janet Fitch book White Oleander

Source: White Oleander

“She’d felt more pain from Nico in their brief connection than she had from her entire legion during the battle against the giant Polybotes.”

Rick Riordan book The Blood of Olympus

Source: The Blood of Olympus

Pain

“There comes a turning point in intense physical struggle where one abandons oneself to a profligate usage of strength and bodily resource, ignoring the costs until the struggle is over. Women find this point in childbirth; men in battle.”

Diana Gabaldon book Outlander

Source: Outlander

Women, Men

“Fear doesn't go away. The warrior and the artist live by the same code of necessity, which dictates that the battle must be fought anew every day.”

Steven Pressfield (1943) United States Marine

Source: The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles

Fear

“no army has ever marched into battle thinking that the Creator had sided with their enemy.”

Terry Goodkind book Wizard's First Rule

Source: Wizard's First Rule

Thinking

“A life that partakes even a little of friendship, love, irony, humor, parenthood, literature, and music, and the chance to take part in battles for the liberation of others cannot be called 'meaningless'…”

Christopher Hitchens (1949–2011) British American author and journalist

Source: Hitch-22: A Memoir

Love, Life, Friendship, Music

“I choose my battles, Dresden. Not you." She looked up at me calmly. "Let me put this in terms that will get through your skull: My friend is going to save a child from monsters. I'm going with him. That's what friends do, Harry.”

Jim Butcher book Changes

Source: Changes

“Battles are lost in the same spirit in which they are won.”

Walt Whitman book Fulles d'herba

Source: Leaves of Grass

“After our mom died, her parents (our grandparents) had this big court battle with dad. After six lawyers, two fistfights, and a near fatal attack with a spatula (don't ask), they won the right to keep Sadie with them in England.”

Rick Riordan book The Red Pyramid

Source: The Red Pyramid

Moms, Parent

“only the defeated know LOVE.
because it is in the realm of love that we
fight our first battles - and generally lose……..”

Paulo Coelho book Manuscript Found in Accra

Source: Manuscript Found in Accra

Love, Fight

“All you have the right to ask of life is to choose a battle in this war, make the best you can, and leave the field with honor.”

Leon Uris (1924–2003) American novelist

Life, War

“There is no cash in battling evil: just the opposite in my experience”

Patricia Briggs book Silver Borne

Source: Silver Borne

Evil

“Ye always carry your women wi ye into battle, Ian Og. They're the root of your strength, man.”

Diana Gabaldon book Written in My Own Heart's Blood

Source: Written in My Own Heart's Blood

Women

“Each of us wages a private battle each day between the grand fantasies we have for ourselves and what actually happens.”

Cathy Guisewite (1950) Cartoonist

“Listen before you draw your battle lines, lest you alienate your allies.”

Kim Harrison (1966) Pseudonym

For a Few Demons More

Drawing

“Battles are won by slaughter and maneuver. The greater the general, the more he contributes in maneuver, the less he demands in slaughter.”

Winston S. Churchill (1874–1965) Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

“Men die in battle; women die in childbirth.”

Philippa Gregory book The Red Queen

The Red Queen

Women, Men

“You love me?"
He just looked at me for a moment. And then he reared back his head and laughed, a rich, mellow sound, unreserved and unashamed. " No, not at all. I regularly battle gods for women I dislike!”

Karen Chance American writer

Source: Hunt the Moon

Love, Women, God

“12--Lose Battles, But Win The War: Grand Strategy

Grand strategy is the art of looking beyond the present battle and calculating ahead. Focus on your ultimate goal and plot to reach it.”

Robert Greene The 33 Strategies of War

Source: The 33 Strategies of War

War, Art

“Fight your battles with words, not fists”

Ann M. Martin (1955) American writer of children's literature

Fight

“… there’s also nothing noble about being fearless. How much do you wanna bet the last man standing in a battle is usually the biggest fool of all?” - Paul Hudson”

Tiffanie DeBartolo (1970) American writer

Source: How to Kill a Rock Star

Fools

“He has fought many battles with us" (Jace)
By which you mean one battle" muttered Simon. "Two if you count the one I was a rat”

Cassandra Clare book City of Ashes

Source: City of Ashes

“My principle anguish and the source of all my joys and sorrows from my youth onward has been the incessant, merciless battle between the spirit and the flesh.”

Nikos Kazantzakis book The Last Temptation of Christ

Source: The Last Temptation of Christ

Youth, Joy

“Scars are medals branded on the flesh, and your enemies will be frightened by them because they are proof of your long experience of battle.”

Paulo Coelho book Manuscript Found in Accra

Source: Manuscript Found in Accra

“Is Tyson okay?' I asked.
The question seemed to take my dad by surprise. 'He's fine. Doing much better than I expected. Though 'peanut butter' is a strange battle cry.”

Rick Riordan book The Last Olympian

Source: The Last Olympian

Question, Cry

“Reason lost the battle, and all I could do was surrender and accept I was in love.”

Paulo Coelho (1947) Brazilian lyricist and novelist

Source: The Witch Of Portobello

Love

“Ireland is a land of poets and legends, of dreamers and rebels. All of these have music woven through and around them. Tunes for dancing or for weeping, for battle or for love.”

Nora Roberts (1950) American romance writer

Source: Tears of the Moon

Love, Music, Dance

“I warn you that when the princes of this world start loving you it means they are going to grind you up into battle sausage.”

Louis-ferdinand Céline book Journey to the End of the Night

[6]
Source: Journey to the End of the Night (1932)

Love, World

“There are some battles, no matter how much you don’t want to fight them, that you just have to fight. That are worth giving your life for.”

Paullina Simons book The Bronze Horseman

Source: The Bronze Horseman

Life, Fight

“There is suffering in life, and there are defeats. No one can avoid them. But it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for.”

Paulo Coelho (1947) Brazilian lyricist and novelist

As quoted in Honor Your Gifts (2007) by Dona M. Deane, p. 199.
Variant: But there is suffering in life, and there are defeats. No one can avoid them. But it's better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you're fighting for

Life, Dreams, Suffering, Fight