No one told these American soldiers they might be shot down by bullets made by their own brothers here. No one told them that the ships on which they were going to cross might be torpedoed by submarines built with… — Smedley Butler Copy Share Image
War is just a racket. A racket is best described, I believe, as something that is not what it seems to the majority of… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
“I spent thirty-three years and four months in active military service as a member of this country's most agile military force, the Marine Corps.… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
Only those who would be called upon to risk their lives for their country should have the privilege of voting to determine whether the… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
One hundred and twenty Marines were detailed to officer a force of twenty-six hundred Haitians. — Smedley Butler Copy Share
I served in all commissioned ranks from a second Lieutenant to a Major General. And during that time, I spent most of my time… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
War is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. — Smedley Butler Copy Share
“WAR is a racket. It always has been. It is possibly the oldest, easily the most profitable, surely the most vicious. It is the… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military service. — Smedley Butler Copy Share
We must permit the youth of the land who would bear arms to decide whether or not there should be war. — Smedley Butler Copy Share
Why don't those damn oil companies fly their own flags on their personal property-maybe a flag with a gas pump on it. — Smedley Butler Copy Share
I served in all commissioned ranks from second lieutenant to major general. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
My mental faculties remained in suspended animation while I obeyed the orders of the higher-ups. This is typical with everyone in the military. — Smedley Butler Copy Share
The trouble with America is that when the dollar only earns 6 percent over here, then it gets restless and goes overseas to get… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
War Is A Racket : I suspected I was just part of a racket at the time. Now I am sure of it. Like… — Smedley Butler Copy Share
