23+ Smedley Butler Quotes On War, Brave And Honorable

Smedley Butler was an American Marine Corps general and the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. He is best remembered for his outspoken criticism of U.S. military adventurism and for his book War Is a Racket, which exposed the financial interests that drive military conflict. Butler is also remembered for his 1935 declaration that war should be outlawed, a sentiment that has become increasingly relevant in the 21st century. Following is our collection on famous quotes by Smedley Butler on war, brave, honorable.

Top 10 Smedley Butler Quotes

1. If only more of today's military personnel would realize that they are being used by the owning elite's as a publicly subsidized capitalist goon squad.
2. There are only two things we should fight for. One is the defense of our homes and the other is the Bill of Rights.
3. War is just a racket... I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else.
4. We must take the profit out of war.
5. War like any other racket, pays high dividends to the very few. The cost of operations is always transferred to the people who do not profit.
6. Only those who would be called upon to risk their lives for their country should have the privilege of voting to determine whether the nation should go to war.
7. Why don't those damn oil companies fly their own flags on their personal property-maybe a flag with a gas pump on it.
8. War is a racket. It is the only one international in scope. It is the only one in which the profits are reckoned in dollars and the losses in lives.
9. War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious.
10. One hundred and twenty Marines were detailed to officer a force of twenty-six hundred Haitians.

Smedley Butler Quotes About War

...Senate Doc. # 259. The 65th congress(:)...The coal companies made between 100% and 7,856% on their capital stock during the war (to end all wars, WWI). ...The leather people sold your Uncle Sam hundreds of thousands of saddles for the calvary. But there wasn't any calvary overseas! — Smedley Butler

...The war (WWI) cost your Uncle Sam $52 billion. $39 billion was expended in the actual war period. This expenditure yielded $16 billion in profits. — Smedley Butler

My interest is, my one hobby is, maintaining a democracy. If you get these 500,000 soldiers advocating anything smelling of Fascism, I am going to get 500,000 more and lick the hell out of you, and we will have a real war right at home. — Smedley Butler

Smedley Butler Quotes About Racket

I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. — Smedley Butler

It is dressed into speeches about patriotism, love of country...but the profits...skyrocket. — Smedley Butler

I had a swell racket. I was rewarded with honors, medals, promotions. l might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate a racket in three city districts. The Marines operated on three continents. — Smedley Butler

I spent thirty-three years in the Marines, most of my time being a hlgh class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer for capitalism. — Smedley Butler

Smedley Butler Famous Quotes And Sayings

War Is A Racket : I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like all members of the military profession I never had an original thought until I left the service. My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher- ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service — Smedley Butler

I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long... Looking back on it, I feel I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three city districts. We Marines operated on three continents. — Smedley Butler

No one told these American soldiers they might be shot down by bullets made by their own brothers here. No one told them that the ships on which they were going to cross might be torpedoed by submarines built with US patents. — Smedley Butler

I selected an enormous Marine Corps emblem to be tattooed across my chest. It required several sittings and hurt me like the devil, but the finished product was worth the pain. I blazed triumphantly forth, a Marine from throat to waist. The emblem is still with me. Nothing on earth but skinning will remove it. — Smedley Butler

My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military. — Smedley Butler

I believe in adequate defense at the coastline and nothing else. If a nation comes over here to fight, then we'll fight. The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get 100 percent. Then the flag follows the dollar and the soldiers follow the flag. — Smedley Butler

Life Lessons by Smedley Butler

1. Smedley Butler's work as a soldier taught us the importance of standing up for what is right and not succumbing to the pressures of authority.
2. He demonstrated the bravery and courage it takes to challenge the status quo and fight for what is just.
3. His legacy serves as an example of the power of individual action and the potential to make a difference in the world.