We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender.

Danger gathers upon our path. We cannot afford – we have no right – to look back. We must look forward

Churchill after his escape during the Boer War, 1900 copyright: Churchil Archives Centre, Baroness Spencer Churchill Collection...

The day may dawn when fair play, love for one’s fellow men, respect for justice and freedom, will enable tormented generations to march forth serene and triumphant from the hideous epoch in which we have to dwell. Meanwhile, never flinch, never weary, never despair.

Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty – never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense.

For myself I am an optimist — it does not seem to be much use being anything else.

If you’re going through hell, keep going.

You have to run risks. There are no certainties in war. There is a precipice on either side of you — a precipice of caution and a precipice of over-daring.

When danger is far off we may think of our weakness; when it is near we must not forget our strength.