--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My men have sometimes failed to take a…" description: "\"My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never!\" — Stonewall Jackson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/stonewall-jackson-12056_defend_my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-p_1050019.jpg" --- # My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to… ![“My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never!” quote by Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/stonewall-jackson-12056_defend_my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-p_1050019.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/stonewall-jackson-12056_defend_my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-p_1050019.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/stonewall-jackson-12056_defend_my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-p_1050019.jpg) > “My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never!” [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He emphasizes that while his troops may hesitate, they must always defend a chosen stance. **In simple terms:** Never retreat from a defended position. Key Takeaway Stand firm on defended positions. Themes courage leadership resolve Mood determined serious Type military motivational When to use this quote - battlefield decisions - command decisions Key Concepts military strategy principles Questions to Reflect On - When should a defended stance be reconsidered? - How do you balance firmness with flexibility? A Different Perspective Rigid defense can lead to unnecessary loss if the position is flawed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Defend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend/) [Driven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/driven/) [Failed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failed/) [Failed Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failed-position-2505420/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Failed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-failed-2505418/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Never](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never/) [Position](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position/) [Position Defend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/position-defend-2505419/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Take](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/take/) [Troops](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/troops/) ## Related quotes > [Israel always has to be in a position to defend itself against any adversary and against any threat of any kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ehud-olmert/israel-always-has-to-be-in-a-position-to-defend-itself-against-any/) [Ehud Olmert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ehud-olmert/) > [“Don't put me in a position where I have to defend myself against this again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-d-reiss/don-t-put-me-in-a-position-where-i-have-to-defend-myself-against-this/) [C.D. 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That's why I went to the Congress last September…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/we-will-make-sure-our-troops-have-all-that-is-necessary-to-complete/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [These mercenaries, I swear by God, those who are still in Washington, they have sent their troops to be burned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/these-mercenaries-i-swear-by-god-those-who-are-still-in-washington/) [Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohammed-saeed-al-sahaf/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) ## More by Stonewall Jackson > [Don't say it's impossible! Turn your command over to the next officer. If he can't do it, I'll find someone who can, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/don-t-say-it-s-impossible-turn-your-command-over-to-the-next-officer/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never let up in the pursuit so long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible-and-when/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Press on, press on, men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/press-on-press-on-men/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [“You may be whatever you resolve to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/you-may-be-whatever-you-resolve-to-be/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-religious-belief-teaches-me-to-feel-as-safe-in-battle-as-in-bed/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Always mystify, mislead and surprise the enemy if possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/always-mystify-mislead-and-surprise-the-enemy-if-possible/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Under divine blessing, we must rely on the bayonet when firearms cannot be furnished](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/under-divine-blessing-we-must-rely-on-the-bayonet-when-firearms/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [I want my army to be an army of the living God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/i-want-my-army-to-be-an-army-of-the-living-god/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [“My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my death. I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-religious-beliefs-teach-me-to-feel-as-safe-in-battle-as-in-bed-god/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Shoot the brave officers, and the cowards will run away and take the men with them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/shoot-the-brave-officers-and-the-cowards-will-run-away-and-take-the/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Died of wounds inflicted in error by his own troops at the battle of Chancellorsville during the US Civil War. Let us cross over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/died-of-wounds-inflicted-in-error-by-his-own-troops-at-the-battle-of/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [War means fighting. The business of the soldier is to fight. ... To move swiftly, strike vigorously, and secure all the fruits of victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/war-means-fighting-the-business-of-the-soldier-is-to-fight-to-move/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [Duty is ours; the consequences are the Lord God's](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/duty-is-ours-the-consequences-are-the-lord-god-s/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [We are all but instruments of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/we-are-all-but-instruments-of-god/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) > [“War means fighting. The business of the soldier is to fight. Armies are not called out to dig trenches, to throw up breastworks, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/war-means-fighting-the-business-of-the-soldier-is-to-fight-armies-are/) [Stonewall Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) [Explore all 56 Stonewall Jackson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/) ## More Defend quotes > [My first Olympics memory was watching Haile Gebrselassie in Sydney 2000. His sprint finish to defend his title really moved me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-farah/my-first-olympics-memory-was-watching-haile-gebrselassie-in-sydney/) [Mo Farah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-farah/) > [We fight to defend our democratic ideals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-austin/we-fight-to-defend-our-democratic-ideals/) [Lloyd Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-austin/) > [The pop culture has become more frenetic. There are more forces at work that are far more invasive. However, I think it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-gibson/the-pop-culture-has-become-more-frenetic-there-are-more-forces-at/) [Mel Gibson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-gibson/) > [I don't need a perfect person. I just need someone who will defend me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-need-a-perfect-person-i-just-need-someone-who-will-defend-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Swearing's my release. It's the one weapon I have to defend myself against destiny when it elects to strike without pity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrea-pirlo/swearing-s-my-release-it-s-the-one-weapon-i-have-to-defend-myself/) [Andrea Pirlo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrea-pirlo/) > [Having kids is the deal-breaker on shyness! Once you have a baby, you learn to speak up loud and clear to protect them, defend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-foster/having-kids-is-the-deal-breaker-on-shyness-once-you-have-a-baby-you/) [Lori Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-foster/) > [We will defend ourselves, and we have full rights to do so. If the authorities try to destroy us, we have the right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sergei-udaltsov/we-will-defend-ourselves-and-we-have-full-rights-to-do-so-if-the/) [Sergei Udaltsov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sergei-udaltsov/) > [I definitely want to defend my 145 belt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-nunes/i-definitely-want-to-defend-my-145-belt/) [Amanda Nunes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-nunes/) > [In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were exterminated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-wurzelbacher/in-1911-turkey-established-gun-control-from-1915-to-1917-1-5-million/) [Joe Wurzelbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-wurzelbacher/) > [“There are always those who take it upon themselves to defend God, as if Ultimate Reality, as if the sustaining frame of existence were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yann-martel/there-are-always-those-who-take-it-upon-themselves-to-defend-god-as/) [Yann Martel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yann-martel/) > [“defend women’s right to be wrong, at least occasionally.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-beard/defend-women-s-right-to-be-wrong-at-least-occasionally/) [Mary Beard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-beard/) > [There are a lot of things you can practise to unsettle teams that defend deep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/didier-deschamps/there-are-a-lot-of-things-you-can-practise-to-unsettle-teams-that/) [Didier Deschamps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/didier-deschamps/) > [The more you defend a lie, the angrier you become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/the-more-you-defend-a-lie-the-angrier-you-become/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [I'm very willing to defend creative things that I believe in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-schneider/i-m-very-willing-to-defend-creative-things-that-i-believe-in/) [Dan Schneider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-schneider/) > [Sometimes it is difficult to play against teams who just drop back and try to defend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadio-mane/sometimes-it-is-difficult-to-play-against-teams-who-just-drop-back/) [Sadio Mane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadio-mane/) [Browse all 993 Defend quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defend/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Stonewall Jackson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-position-but-to-defend-one/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Defend" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-position-but-to-defend-one/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/stonewall-jackson-12056_defend_my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-p_1050019.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/stonewall-jackson-12056_defend_my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-p_1050019.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/185/stonewall-jackson-12056_defend_my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-p_1050019.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“My men have sometimes failed to take a position, but to defend one, never!” — Stonewall Jackson", "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": "Stonewall Jackson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stonewall-jackson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "My men have sometimes failed to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-position-but-to-defend-one/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stonewall-jackson/my-men-have-sometimes-failed-to-take-a-position-but-to-defend-one/#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 } } ] } ```