Ernie Pyle Quotes

Powerful Ernie Pyle for Daily Growth

About Ernie Pyle

Ernie Pyle (1900-1945) was an American journalist and war correspondent best known for his vivid portrayals of everyday soldiers during World War II. Born in Dana, Indiana, on August 3, 1900, Pyle grew up in a modest farming community, which greatly influenced his empathy for the common man. He attended Indiana University but left without a degree to pursue journalism. Pyle began his career as a reporter at the Rennaker Daily Journal and later moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he worked for the Lafayette Journal and Courier. In 1935, Pyle's first book, 'Mother Is a Fireman,' chronicling his experiences as a fireman's wife in Lafayette, was published, establishing him as a promising author. In 1940, Pyle moved to Syracuse, New York, to work for the Syracuse Post-Standard. However, it was his coverage of World War II that brought him international fame. In 1943, he became one of the first war correspondents to land on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion. His dispatches from the front lines, detailing the experiences and struggles of ordinary soldiers, resonated deeply with readers back home. Pyle's most famous works include 'Here Is Your War,' a collection of his stories from North Africa, and 'Brave Men,' which documented the Battle of Okinawa. His final dispatch, written just hours before his death on April 18, 1945, poignantly captured the fear and hope of soldiers preparing for an imminent attack. Ernie Pyle's work continues to be celebrated for its humanizing portrayal of war and its impact on ordinary people. He was posthumously awarded two Pulitzer Prizes in 1945, one for his dispatches from the Pacific War and another for distinguished correspondence from abroad. Today, Ernie Pyle's legacy lives on as a testament to the power of journalism and empathy in times of conflict.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Courage is not a man with a gun in his hand. It's a man who doesn't have a gun in his hand and isn't running."

This quote by Ernie Pyle emphasizes that courage is not merely the possession of physical weapons, but rather the ability to face adversity without the use of violence or fear. It signifies resilience, standing one's ground in the face of danger, and maintaining composure when others might flee. In other words, courage is a human quality that can be found in those who stand up for their beliefs, even when they are unarmed or outnumbered.

"War is the enemy of the good."

Ernie Pyle's statement, "War is the enemy of the good," highlights the destructive impact war has on humanity's potential for growth, prosperity, and moral development. It suggests that war inhibits or opposes the advancement of goodness in society, as it often promotes violence, division, and suffering rather than peace, unity, and progress. This quote underscores the importance of pursuing peaceful resolutions to conflicts, emphasizing that true good can only thrive in an environment free from the devastating effects of war.

"They were just average American boys, most of them, but they did an extraordinary thing, and they died for us."

This quote highlights the profound sacrifice and heroism demonstrated by ordinary young men during times of war. The "extraordinary thing" refers to their decision to fight and, ultimately, lay down their lives for their fellow citizens and country, even though they were not professional soldiers or leaders. The phrase "for us" signifies the deep gratitude and appreciation felt by those who were left behind, recognizing the bravery and selflessness of these fallen heroes in the face of adversity. It's a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the courage displayed by individuals in defense of their nation.

"The infantryman is the aroma of battle."

Ernie Pyle's quote, "The infantryman is the aroma of battle," beautifully captures the essence of an infantry soldier. It suggests that the infantry, as the ones who are closest to the front lines, embody the very spirit and essence of conflict. They are not just fighters but symbolize the raw energy, courage, and resilience that battle represents. This aroma is a metaphor for the powerful and indelible impact soldiers have on the battlefield, leaving an undeniable impression and imprint of their presence long after they've moved on.

"Combat fatigue is being there."

Ernie Pyle's quote, "Combat fatigue is being there," implies that the stress and emotional strain of war are not solely the result of participating in violent actions, but rather they stem from bearing witness to the harsh realities of conflict - simply being present on the battlefield is enough to induce a sense of exhaustion, anxiety, and trauma. This quote underscores the profound psychological impact that war has on individuals, regardless of their direct involvement in combat operations.

Someday when peace has returned to this odd world I want to come to London again and stand on a certain balcony on a moonlit night and look down upon the peaceful silver curve of the Thames with its dark bridges.

- Ernie Pyle

Down, Balcony, Curve, London

Below us the Thames grew lighter, and all around below were the shadows - the dark shadows of buildings and bridges that formed the base of this dreadful masterpiece.

- Ernie Pyle

Bridges, Below, Grew, Lighter

About every two minutes a new wave of planes would be over. The motors seemed to grind rather than roar, and to have an angry pulsation like a bee buzzing in blind fury.

- Ernie Pyle

Blind, New, Over, Motors

The American soldier is quick in adapting himself to a new mode of living. Outfits which have been here only three days have dug vast networks of ditches three feet deep in the bare brown earth. They have rigged up a light here and there with a storage battery.

- Ernie Pyle

Feet, Here, Quick, Adapting

The closest fires were near enough for us to hear the crackling flames and the yells of firemen. Little fires grew into big ones even as we watched. Big ones died down under the firemen's valor only to break out again later.

- Ernie Pyle

Big, Died, Flames, Fires

Our artillery has really been sensational. For once we have enough of something and at the right time. Officers tell me they actually have more guns than they know what to do with.

- Ernie Pyle

Guns, Been, Sensational, Right Time

I've really been sick with this cold, but I think I might have kept the columns going anyhow except I was just so low in spirit, I didn't have the will to struggle against them when my deadline was so close and I felt so lousy.

- Ernie Pyle

Been, I Think, Columns, Deadline

In their eyes as they pass is not hatred, not excitement, not despair, not the tonic of their victory - there is just the simple expression of being here as though they had been here doing this forever, and nothing else.

- Ernie Pyle

Doing, Here, Been, Tonic

Swinging first and swinging to kill is all that matters now.

- Ernie Pyle

Matters, Now, First, Swinging

At last we are in it up to our necks, and everything is changed, even your outlook on life.

- Ernie Pyle

Last, Even, Necks, Changed

I've been immersed in it too long. My spirit is wobbly and my mind is confused. The hurt has become too great.

- Ernie Pyle

Mind, Spirit, Been, Immersed

I was away from the front lines for a while this spring, living with other troops, and considerable fighting took place while I was gone. When I got ready to return to my old friends at the front I wondered if I would sense any change in them.

- Ernie Pyle

Fighting, Other, Away, Old Friends

The men are walking. They are fifty feet apart, for dispersal. Their walk is slow, for they are dead weary, as you can tell even when looking at them from behind. Every line and sag of their bodies speaks their inhuman exhaustion.

- Ernie Pyle

Feet, Fifty, Behind, Apart

The front-line soldier wants it to be got over by the physical process of his destroying enough Germans to end it. He is truly at war. The rest of us, no matter how hard we work, are not.

- Ernie Pyle

Rest, Process, Over, Destroying

If you go long enough without a bath, even the fleas will leave you alone.

- Ernie Pyle

Alone, Will, Even, Bath

If I can just see the European war out I think I might feel justified in quitting the war.

- Ernie Pyle

Think, Might, I Think, Quitting

All the rest of us - you and me and even the thousands of soldiers behind the lines in Africa - we want terribly yet only academically for the war to get over.

- Ernie Pyle

Rest, Behind, Over, Thousands

War makes strange giant creatures out of us little routine men who inhabit the earth.

- Ernie Pyle

Creatures, Makes, Inhabit, Routine

But to the fighting soldier that phase of the war is behind. It was left behind after his first battle. His blood is up. He is fighting for his life, and killing now for him is as much a profession as writing is for me.

- Ernie Pyle

Behind, Phase, Profession, Soldier

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