John Keegan Quotes

Powerful John Keegan for Daily Growth

About John Keegan

John Keegan (1934-2016) was an influential British military historian and journalist, best known for his insightful analysis of warfare and its impact on society. Born in Leeds, England, Keegan displayed an early interest in history, particularly the military history of World War II. He served in the British Army's Intelligence Corps before transitioning to a career as a teacher and writer. Keegan's education at Balliol College, Oxford, solidified his passion for history, and he went on to earn a Ph.D. from King's College London. His academic background, military experience, and journalistic prowess allowed him to provide unique insights into the complexities of war. Keegan's major works include "The Face of Battle" (1976), an examination of three famous battles throughout history; "The Mask of Command" (1987), a study of leadership in the face of combat; and "A History of Warfare" (1993), a comprehensive analysis of military history from ancient times to the present. His most influential work, however, is likely "The Art of Warfare on Land" (1993), which offers a theoretical framework for understanding modern warfare. Keegan's works were characterized by their meticulous research, clear prose, and thought-provoking interpretations. He sought to understand not only the tactics and strategies employed in war but also the human experiences and psychological aspects of combat. Keegan's influence extends beyond academia, as his works have been widely read and respected by military personnel and general readers alike. Throughout his career, John Keegan received numerous awards for his contributions to military history, including the Samuel Johnson Prize, the Distinguished Literary Service Award, and the Whittle Award for Military Literature. His legacy continues to inspire scholars, soldiers, and readers who seek to understand the complexities of war and its enduring impact on human society.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The battle is won or lost before it is ever fought."

This quote emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation and strategic planning in any conflict or challenge, as outcomes are often decided before they are engaged. It implies that success is not solely dependent on physical prowess or tactical skills during the battle itself, but rather on the thoughtfulness and decisiveness exhibited prior to the engagement. A well-strategized approach can significantly impact the outcome of any conflict or endeavor.

"In war, as in life, unforeseen things happen, and resources have to be improvised."

This quote highlights the inherent unpredictability and adaptability required in both warfare and everyday life. It suggests that despite our best-laid plans or preparedness, unexpected events can occur. In such situations, we must exhibit resourcefulness, improvising solutions with the available resources at hand to navigate through these unforeseen challenges effectively.

"War itself is not a failure of diplomacy but its ultimate expression; it is diplomacy by other means."

This quote emphasizes that war, rather than being an aberration or failure of peaceful diplomacy, is fundamentally an extreme manifestation of diplomacy. Diplomacy is the art of negotiating and resolving disputes between nations or groups. In situations where diplomatic means fail, military force may be used as a last resort to achieve the same objectives - this is war. Keegan's quote serves to highlight that the two are inextricably linked and should not be viewed separately; rather, they represent different levels of intensity on the spectrum of statecraft.

"The first casualty when war comes is truth."

This quote by John Keegan emphasizes that during wartime, objectivity, honesty, and truthfulness can often be the first victims. In the heat of conflict, information may be distorted or suppressed for strategic reasons, making it difficult to discern fact from fiction. As such, this statement serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding truth and transparency during times of war.

"Clio, the muse of history, likes her subjects best when they are victorious and her witnesses least when they are timid."

This quote by John Keegan suggests that history tends to favor those who emerge victorious, casting their actions in a more heroic or significant light. The timid, on the other hand, may not leave as memorable or influential a mark on historical records. Essentially, success often attracts the attention of historians and storytellers, while caution or reticence might lead to underrepresentation or overlooked contributions. This quote can serve as a reminder to be bold in one's actions, knowing that history may not always be kind to those who choose a path of caution or avoidance.

Soldiers, when committed to a task, can't compromise. It's unrelenting devotion to the standards of duty and courage, absolute loyalty to others, not letting the task go until it's been done.

- John Keegan

Veterans Day, Committed, Standards

I don't look to find an educated person in the ranks of university graduates, necessarily. Some of the most educated people I know have never been near a university.

- John Keegan

Graduation, Some, Been, Educated People

The revival of Islam dates from the early years of the 20th century. It was brought about by their humiliation, by their sense of how low they'd fallen compared with the West.

- John Keegan

About, Brought, Dates, Revival

Good men who exercise power are really the most fascinating of all people.

- John Keegan

Good, Exercise, Fascinating, Good Men

It's a necessary quality of a diplomat or a politician that he will compromise. Uncompromising politicians or diplomats get you into the most terrible trouble.

- John Keegan

Necessary, Uncompromising, Diplomat

I think that black Africa is extremely terrifying. Black Africa can become a maelstrom of warring tribes without the outside world needing to feel the need to do anything about it.

- John Keegan

Think, Africa, Terrifying, Tribes

The great Chinese classics have always said that it's better not to fight; that the clever man achieves his ends without violence; that a battle delayed is better than a battle fought.

- John Keegan

Always, Classics, Fought, Clever Man

The leader of men in warfare can show himself to his followers only through a mask, a mask that he must make for himself, but a mask made in such form as will mark him to men of his time and place as the leader they want and need.

- John Keegan

Leader, Will, Through, Mask

I can't visualize the situation in which we nuke ourselves into extinction.

- John Keegan

Extinction, Which, Ourselves, Visualize

The Islam of the 18th, 19th and first half of the 20th century was a poor thing. Nobody bothered about it. Islam was that funny sort of pure system of beliefs that depressed people in the Middle East held as their religion.

- John Keegan

About, Half, Held, 20th Century

Some people are more terrorist than others.

- John Keegan

More, Some, Than, Terrorist

I don't think that what's going on in Bosnia is political activity. It's partly political, but it's partly atavistic as well.

- John Keegan

Think, Activity, Going, Bosnia

I think to be shot in a mountain valley somewhere or other is altogether less glorious than crashing an airliner into a skyscraper.

- John Keegan

Think, Other, I Think, Skyscraper

If Wellington epitomizes the English gentleman, Eisenhower epitomizes the natural American gentleman.

- John Keegan

Natural, English, Wellington, Eisenhower

There are certain wicked people in the world that you can't deal with except by force.

- John Keegan

World, Deal, Except, Wicked

It's commonly said that people who've been ill in childhood and who've had an upset education never really regret that they do. It means that you don't look at the world in the way that other people do, and if you were inclined to be a writer, that's a help.

- John Keegan

Other, Upset, Been, Commonly

I think Americans like the practical; they like the human. And I like both those things myself, and I try and put them into my books.

- John Keegan

Think, I Think, Practical, Both

Even a pacifist should admire the military virtues.

- John Keegan

Virtues, Should, Even, Pacifist

Men killing other men really is an extraordinary phenomenon. Why does it happen? And how long has it gone on? And have the motives changed?

- John Keegan

Happen, Other, Motives, Phenomenon

The great men of power who seek to change the nations they belong to usually are pretty terrible people.

- John Keegan

Change, Pretty, Belong, Seek

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