---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Although always prepared for martyrdom, I…"
description: "\"Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it should be postponed.\" — Winston Churchill"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/winston-churchill-95_be-prepared_although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i_2891047.jpg"
---

#  Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that…

![“Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it should be postponed.” quote by Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/winston-churchill-95_be-prepared_although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i_2891047.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/winston-churchill-95_be-prepared_although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i_2891047.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/winston-churchill-95_be-prepared_although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i_2891047.jpg)

> “Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it should be postponed.”

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

## About This Quote

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

He accepted the possibility of death but wished to delay it as long as possible.

**In simple terms:** He wanted to avoid death for now.

Key Takeaway

Delay danger when possible.

Themes

courage mortality strategy

Mood

reflective serious

Type

philosophical motivational

When to use this quote

- wartime leadership
- personal safety
- political decisions

Key Concepts

Stoicism risk management

Questions to Reflect On

- What risks are you willing to postpone?
- How does postponing danger affect morale?

A Different Perspective

Delaying death may not always be feasible.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Be prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-prepared/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Martyrdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martyrdom/) [Martyrdom Preferred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/martyrdom-preferred-4059739/) [Military](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/military/) [Postponed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/postponed/) [Preferred Postponed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preferred-postponed-4059740/) [Preparation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preparation/) [Prepared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared/) [Prepared Martyrdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prepared-martyrdom-4059738/)

## Related quotes

> [Although prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it be postponed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/although-prepared-for-martyrdom-i-preferred-that-it-be-postponed/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [“Although prepared for martyrdom, I prefer that it be postponed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-s-churchill/although-prepared-for-martyrdom-i-prefer-that-it-be-postponed/)

[Winston S. Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-s-churchill/)

> [The future of modern society depends much more on the quiet heroism of the very few who are inspired by God. These few will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-future-of-modern-society-depends-much-more-on-the-quiet-heroism/)

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/)

> [You must be prepared for further efforts of mind and body and further sacrifices to great causes, if you are not to fall back…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/you-must-be-prepared-for-further-efforts-of-mind-and-body-and-further/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [“There is no avoiding war, it can only be postponed to the advantage of your enemy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/there-is-no-avoiding-war-it-can-only-be-postponed-to-the-advantage-of/)

[Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/)

> [“I believe that 99 percent of what anyone does can effectively be postponed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-hempel/i-believe-that-99-percent-of-what-anyone-does-can-effectively-be/)

[Amy Hempel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-hempel/)

> [An optimist is a fellow who believes what's going to be will be postponed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/an-optimist-is-a-fellow-who-believes-what-s-going-to-be-will-be/)

[Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/)

> [What I object to the current government intervention in so-called 'solving the crisis', they haven't solved anything. They've just postponed it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-faber/what-i-object-to-the-current-government-intervention-in-so-called/)

[Marc Faber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-faber/)

> [I got my first show at Blum &amp; Poe because Paul McCarthy postponed his show, and they came to my studio and asked me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-grotjahn/i-got-my-first-show-at-blum-poe-because-paul-mccarthy-postponed-his/)

[Mark Grotjahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-grotjahn/)

> [End-Of-The-World which was Scheduled for 2012 has been Postponed to 2052 due to some Technical Problems!!!! Plz Co-operate &amp; CONTINUE Life with Spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jagjot-anand/end-of-the-world-which-was-scheduled-for-2012-has-been-postponed-to/)

[Jagjot Anand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jagjot-anand/)

> [I am not Failed my success is just Postponed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-not-failed-my-success-is-just-postponed/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Immortality is the only thing which doesn't tolerate being postponed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/immortality-is-the-only-thing-which-doesn-t-tolerate-being-postponed/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Its so cold outside I saw 2 guys about to fight and they postponed it until' April.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/its-so-cold-outside-i-saw-2-guys-about-to-fight-and-they-postponed-it/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Once you've postponed doing what's right, you become a big part of what's wrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-kelly/once-you-ve-postponed-doing-what-s-right-you-become-a-big-part-of/)

[Elizabeth Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-kelly/)

> [And apologies, once postponed, become harder and harder to make, and finally impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mitchell/and-apologies-once-postponed-become-harder-and-harder-to-make-and/)

[Margaret Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mitchell/)

## More by Winston Churchill

> [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/this-is-no-time-for-ease-and-comfort-it-is-time-to-dare-and-endure/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [If I had been an Italian I am sure that I should have been whole-heartedly with you from the start to finish in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/if-i-had-been-an-italian-i-am-sure-that-i-should-have-been-whole/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [Never, never, never give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/never-never-never-give-up/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most times he will pick himself up and carry on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/man-will-occasionally-stumble-over-the-truth-but-most-times-he-will/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [The American Constitution declares 'All men are born equal.' The British Socialist Party add: 'All men must be kept equal'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-american-constitution-declares-all-men-are-born-equal-the-british/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [God alone knows how great it is. All I hope is that it is not too late. I am very much afraid that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/god-alone-knows-how-great-it-is-all-i-hope-is-that-it-is-not-too-late/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [When you're 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you're 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you're 60 you realize no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/when-you-re-20-you-care-what-everyone-thinks-when-you-re-40-you-stop/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [Writing a book is an adventure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/writing-a-book-is-an-adventure/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [All men make mistakes, but only wise men learn from their mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/all-men-make-mistakes-but-only-wise-men-learn-from-their-mistakes/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [People who are not prepared to do unpopular things and defy the clamor of the multitude are not fit to be ministers in time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/people-who-are-not-prepared-to-do-unpopular-things-and-defy-the/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [To meet Roosevelt with all his buoyant sparkle, his iridescence, was like opening a bottle of champagne.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/to-meet-roosevelt-with-all-his-buoyant-sparkle-his-iridescence-was/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [I am always ready to learn although I do not always like being taught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-am-always-ready-to-learn-although-i-do-not-always-like-being-taught/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [There are plenty of good ideas, if only they can be backed with the power of action.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/there-are-plenty-of-good-ideas-if-only-they-can-be-backed-with-the/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

[Explore all 1,366 Winston Churchill quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

## More Be prepared quotes

> [“In your goals to go the extra mile, prepare to pay an extra cost. Excellence is to be exceptional, surpassing, more competent and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/in-your-goals-to-go-the-extra-mile-prepare-to-pay-an-extra-cost/)

[Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/)

> [I have learned so much from my dad. Perhaps the biggest thing I've learned from my dad is how to be prepared at all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-sekulow/i-have-learned-so-much-from-my-dad-perhaps-the-biggest-thing-i-ve/)

[Jay Sekulow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-sekulow/)

> [Wherever you escape, the truth will find you! Always be prepared to meet with it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/wherever-you-escape-the-truth-will-find-you-always-be-prepared-to/)

[Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/)

> [The thing about writing or making art is that I'm not thinking about that stuff while I'm doing it. Like the driver's ed kid,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-martin/the-thing-about-writing-or-making-art-is-that-i-m-not-thinking-about/)

[Chelsea Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-martin/)

> [You must have goals in your life, or otherwise be prepared to be used by those who do have them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-brooks/you-must-have-goals-in-your-life-or-otherwise-be-prepared-to-be-used/)

[Herb Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-brooks/)

> [I never minded giving my opinions. They are just opinions, and I had studied music and I had strong feelings. I was happy for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-never-minded-giving-my-opinions-they-are-just-opinions-and-i-had/)

[Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/)

> [To me, man means awareness of death. I am not saying become afraid of death; that is not awareness. Just be aware of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/to-me-man-means-awareness-of-death-i-am-not-saying-become-afraid-of/)

[Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/)

> [Don't yield to that alluring witch, laziness, or else be prepared to surrender all that you have won in your better moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/don-t-yield-to-that-alluring-witch-laziness-or-else-be-prepared-to/)

[Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/)

> [Another mistake a director can make is not to be prepared, so you get there on the day to shoot the scene, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-macy/another-mistake-a-director-can-make-is-not-to-be-prepared-so-you-get/)

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

> [Old Flossie settle down on the other side of What-the-Dickens and dragged some handiwork out of a sack. She armed herself with two thorns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/old-flossie-settle-down-on-the-other-side-of-what-the-dickens-and/)

[Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/)

> [Good preparation is key for me. Nowadays everyone is an actor slash writer, slash this, slash that, its cool; and you can only go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-zevallos/good-preparation-is-key-for-me-nowadays-everyone-is-an-actor-slash/)

[Jaime Zevallos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-zevallos/)

> [Cruel and paradoxical though it undoubtedly is, the record shows that yje most succesful 20th century monarchs have been those who were not actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-cannadine/cruel-and-paradoxical-though-it-undoubtedly-is-the-record-shows-that/)

[David Cannadine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-cannadine/)

> [One can understand the politics of that at this moment. It's an effort to buy time for a constituency of workers who have really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-woodruff/one-can-understand-the-politics-of-that-at-this-moment-it-s-an-effort/)

[Judy Woodruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-woodruff/)

> [We are all better than we know. If only we can be brought to realise this, we may never be prepared to settle for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-hahn/we-are-all-better-than-we-know-if-only-we-can-be-brought-to-realise/)

[Kurt Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-hahn/)

> [I have spoken about what we can do as citizens, what we can do as a responsive citizenry, and this is where we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-tempest-williams/i-have-spoken-about-what-we-can-do-as-citizens-what-we-can-do-as-a/)

[Terry Tempest Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-tempest-williams/)

[Browse all 692 Be prepared quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-prepared/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it should be postponed.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Winston Churchill"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i-preferred-that-it-should-be/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Be prepared"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i-preferred-that-it-should-be/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/winston-churchill-95_be-prepared_although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i_2891047.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/winston-churchill-95_be-prepared_although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i_2891047.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/85d/winston-churchill-95_be-prepared_although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i_2891047.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Although always prepared for martyrdom, I preferred that it should be postponed.” — Winston Churchill",
                "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": "Winston Churchill",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Although always prepared for martyrdom, I...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i-preferred-that-it-should-be/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/although-always-prepared-for-martyrdom-i-preferred-that-it-should-be/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
