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.

If this long island story of ours is to end at last, let it end only when each one of us lies, choking in his own blood upon the ground.

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.

A fanatic is someone who won’t change his mind, and won’t change the subject.

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