For a great many years, as a soldier, I had a suspicion that war was a racket; not until I retired to civil life did I fully realize it. — 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 Image
I helped make Mexico, especially Tampico, safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefits of Wall Street. The record of racketeering is long. I helped purify Nicaragua… — 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. I served in all commissioned ranks from Second Lieutenant to Major-General. And during that period, I spent most of my time being a high class muscle-man for Big Business, for Wall Street and for the Bankers.… — 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 Image
One hundred and twenty Marines were detailed to officer a force of twenty-six hundred Haitians. — Smedley Butler Copy Share Image
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 Image
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 Image
“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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
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 Image
