---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An Army is a team. It lives sleeps eats…"
description: "\"“An Army is a team. It lives sleeps eats and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit”\" — George S. Patton"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/george-s-patton-1770_army_an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-a_3183629.jpg"
---

#  An Army is a team. It lives sleeps eats and fights as a…

![“An Army is a team. It lives sleeps eats and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit” quote by George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/george-s-patton-1770_army_an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-a_3183629.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/george-s-patton-1770_army_an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-a_3183629.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/george-s-patton-1770_army_an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-a_3183629.jpg)

> ““An Army is a team. It lives sleeps eats and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit””

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Team cohesion overrides individual heroics; collective effort is essential for success.

**In simple terms:** Teamwork beats solo heroics.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize the group over self.

Themes

teamwork collective strength humility

Mood

determined pragmatic

Type

strategic inspirational

When to use this quote

- sports teams
- project groups
- military units

Key Concepts

military cohesion group dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- Can you think of a time when teamwork succeeded over a lone effort?
- How do you balance personal excellence with group goals?

A Different Perspective

Individual brilliance can undermine unity.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Army](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/) [Army Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army-team-5145483/) [Fights Team](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fights-team-2946318/) [Horse Shit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/horse-shit-3828423/) [Individual Heroic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual-heroic-5843288/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/)

## Related quotes

> [“Men like that are rarer than rocking horse shit.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lily-morton/men-like-that-are-rarer-than-rocking-horse-shit/)

[Lily Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lily-morton/)

> [I don't even watch my own fights. If it's not someone from my team or someone I like, I guarantee you that I'll go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-aldo/i-don-t-even-watch-my-own-fights-if-it-s-not-someone-from-my-team-or/)

[Jose Aldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-aldo/)

> [You can put your whole army against my team and I guarantee you it'll be your very last time breathin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mobb-deep/you-can-put-your-whole-army-against-my-team-and-i-guarantee-you-it-ll/)

[Mobb Deep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mobb-deep/)

> [We see leaders in social media starting fights. I'm on the other team who likes to inspire, to leave a positive message.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karol-g/we-see-leaders-in-social-media-starting-fights-i-m-on-the-other-team/)

[Karol G](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karol-g/)

> [I remember one time being told I could not play in a basketball game at the College of William and Mary because I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-dean-myers/i-remember-one-time-being-told-i-could-not-play-in-a-basketball-game/)

[Walter Dean Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-dean-myers/)

> [Urge all of your men to pray, not alone in church, but everywhere. Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/urge-all-of-your-men-to-pray-not-alone-in-church-but-everywhere-pray/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never, and will never, lose a war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/america-loves-a-winner-and-will-not-tolerate-a-loser-this-is-why/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/wars-may-be-fought-with-weapons-but-they-are-won-by-men-it-is-the/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [The military mind is indeed a menace. Old-fashioned futurity that sees only men fighting and dying in smoke and fire; hears nothing more civilized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-o-casey/the-military-mind-is-indeed-a-menace-old-fashioned-futurity-that-sees/)

[Sean O'Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-o-casey/)

> [Holly's theory about the army," Sharon explained. And what is it?" Denise asked, intrigued. Oh, that fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/holly-s-theory-about-the-army-sharon-explained-and-what-is-it-denise/)

[Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/)

> [It's pretty simple to play the role of an army officer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dino-morea/it-s-pretty-simple-to-play-the-role-of-an-army-officer/)

[Dino Morea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dino-morea/)

> [How could a readiness for war in time of peace be safely prohibited, unless we could prohibit, in like manner, the preparations and establishments…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/how-could-a-readiness-for-war-in-time-of-peace-be-safely-prohibited/)

[James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/)

> [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

## More by George S. Patton

> [Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/wars-may-be-fought-with-weapons-but-they-are-won-by-men-it-is-the/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [America loves a winner, and will not tolerate a loser, this is why America has never, and will never, lose a war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/america-loves-a-winner-and-will-not-tolerate-a-loser-this-is-why/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [We must guard against becoming so engrossed in the specific nature of the roots and bark of the trees of knowledge as to miss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/we-must-guard-against-becoming-so-engrossed-in-the-specific-nature-of/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Successful generals make plans to fit circumstances, but do not try to create circumstances to fit plans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/successful-generals-make-plans-to-fit-circumstances-but-do-not-try-to/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [There is a time to take counsel of your fears, and there is a time to never listen to any fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/there-is-a-time-to-take-counsel-of-your-fears-and-there-is-a-time-to/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/watch-what-people-are-cynical-about-and-one-can-often-discover-what/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [In the space of two days I had evolved two plans, wholly distinct, both of which were equally feasible. The point I am trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/in-the-space-of-two-days-i-had-evolved-two-plans-wholly-distinct-both/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [The leader must be an actor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/the-leader-must-be-an-actor/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Most battles are won before they are ever fought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/most-battles-are-won-before-they-are-ever-fought/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Discipline must be a habit so ingrained that it is stronger than the excitement of battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/discipline-must-be-a-habit-so-ingrained-that-it-is-stronger-than-the/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Battle... brings out all that is best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/battle-brings-out-all-that-is-best/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Sure, we want to go home. We want this war over with. The quickest way to get it over with is to go get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/sure-we-want-to-go-home-we-want-this-war-over-with-the-quickest-way/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [The time to take counsel of your fears is before you make an important battle decision. That's the time to listen to every fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/the-time-to-take-counsel-of-your-fears-is-before-you-make-an/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [A man must know his destiny. if he does not recognize it, then he is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/a-man-must-know-his-destiny-if-he-does-not-recognize-it-then-he-is/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

> [Urge all of your men to pray, not alone in church, but everywhere. Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/urge-all-of-your-men-to-pray-not-alone-in-church-but-everywhere-pray/)

[George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

[Explore all 208 George S. Patton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/)

## More Army quotes

> [There are no more worlds to conquer!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/there-are-no-more-worlds-to-conquer/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/)

[Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/)

> [Every army in the history of the world has always had some deserters, usually much greater than we have today, because once again every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-hilferty/every-army-in-the-history-of-the-world-has-always-had-some-deserters/)

[Bryan Hilferty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-hilferty/)

> [It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/it-is-the-rule-in-war-if-our-forces-are-ten-to-the-enemy-s-one-to/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... Prearranged surprises are rare and difficult because in order to plan one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-henri-jomini/the-surprise-of-an-army-is-now-next-to-an-impossibility-prearranged/)

[Antoine-Henri Jomini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-henri-jomini/)

> [I just read an article about how young American males feel uncomfortable appearing naked in front of each other in locker rooms. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-ivory/i-just-read-an-article-about-how-young-american-males-feel/)

[James Ivory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-ivory/)

> [ I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect \[Donald Trump\], or then-president \[Barack Obama\]. But it's - I'm very clear.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-mattis/i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-that-by-the-president-elect/)

[James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-mattis/)

> [Holy shadows of the dead, I'm not to blame for your cruel and bitter fate, but the accursed rivalry which brought sister nations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/holy-shadows-of-the-dead-i-m-not-to-blame-for-your-cruel-and-bitter/)

[Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/)

> [“The most important lesson that came out of Vietnam for me was that Marines take care of Marines.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-clancy/the-most-important-lesson-that-came-out-of-vietnam-for-me-was-that/)

[Tom Clancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-clancy/)

> [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/)

[C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis/)

> [I have real strong feelings about our troops and support them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/i-have-real-strong-feelings-about-our-troops-and-support-them/)

[William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/)

> [Personally, I don't really have a set style or look. It's pretty much what I feel like wearing that day, from a floral-print dress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shay-mitchell/personally-i-don-t-really-have-a-set-style-or-look-it-s-pretty-much/)

[Shay Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shay-mitchell/)

> [Growing up with a parent in the army, I saw firsthand the challenges our service members face when transitioning to new jobs after time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharice-davids/growing-up-with-a-parent-in-the-army-i-saw-firsthand-the-challenges/)

[Sharice Davids](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharice-davids/)

> [Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-prescott/don-t-fire-until-you-see-the-whites-of-their-eyes/)

[William H. Prescott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-prescott/)

> [Thanks to all members of the military around the world for giving me the ultimate motivation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalya-neidhart/thanks-to-all-members-of-the-military-around-the-world-for-giving-me/)

[Natalya Neidhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalya-neidhart/)

[Browse all 3,919 Army quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/army/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“An Army is a team. It lives sleeps eats and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "George S. Patton"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-and-fights-as-a-team-this/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Army"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-and-fights-as-a-team-this/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/george-s-patton-1770_army_an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-a_3183629.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/george-s-patton-1770_army_an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-a_3183629.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/564/george-s-patton-1770_army_an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-a_3183629.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“An Army is a team. It lives sleeps eats and fights as a team. This individual heroic stuff is pure horse shit” — George S. Patton",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "George S. Patton",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“An Army is a team. It...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-and-fights-as-a-team-this/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/an-army-is-a-team-it-lives-sleeps-eats-and-fights-as-a-team-this/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
