The Churchill Series - Mar.16, 2006

(One of a series of weekday posts on the life of Winston S. Churchill.)

Four Churchill quotes, all found in Martin Gilbert’s Continue to Pester, Nag and Bite: Churchill’s War Leadership.

In January, 1939: ‘War is terrible, but slavery is worse.” (p. 39)

In 1941 to a Private Secretary: “Each night, before I go to bed, I try myself by Court Martial to see if I have done something really effective during the day.” (p. 48)

When Churchill was told General Montgomery had “created animosities in military circles, he replied: “If he is disagreeable to those around him, he is also disagreeable to the enemy.” (p. 72)

In April 1941 as Britain sought to drive a wedge between the pro-Nazi Regent of Yugoslavia and Ministers thought to be favorable to Britain, Churchill told the senior British diplomat in Belgrade: “Continue to pester, nag and bite. Demand audiences. Don’t take NO for an answer.” (p. 73)