Oliver North

Military Officer, Political Commentator

Oliver North is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer known for his role in the Iran-Contra affair and his views on leadership and responsibility.

Born
October 7, 1943
Quotes
38
Rank
#1698

About Oliver North

Oliver North — Life and Legacy

Oliver North is a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and political commentator, best known for his involvement in the Iran-Contra affair during the 1980s. His actions and subsequent trial brought significant attention to issues of military ethics and government accountability. North's philosophy centers on the themes of leadership and personal responsibility, which he articulated through various quotes that resonate with his military background. One of his notable quotes, 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,' encapsulates his belief in the moral obligation to act against injustice. This perspective reflects a worldview where leadership is not merely about authority but about taking decisive action in the face of adversity. North's statements often challenge the status quo, urging individuals to embrace their responsibilities, especially in difficult circumstances. Today, North's insights continue to influence discussions on leadership and ethics, particularly in military and political contexts. His emphasis on accountability and the complexities of moral choices in leadership roles remains relevant, encouraging a deeper understanding of what it means to lead effectively.

Quote collection

Oliver North quotes (page 1 of 2)

38 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.

Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"Death is never easy when you know the people doing the dying."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"I'm trusting in the Lord and a good lawyer."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"Without any intended hubris, I've lead a pretty exciting life. What I've tried to do in Mission Compromised is draw on those experiences to create a sense of excitement and realism within the story"

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"The 2.4 million bright, brave, incredibly fit and remarkably talented young Americans who have served in our armed forces since we were attacked on 9-11-01 are all volunteers. As General Petraeus put it during a conversation we had in Afghanistan, 'They all came or stayed, knowing they were going to war.' For more than a decade, these patriots and their loved ones have made extraordinary sacrifices for this country. They embody the classical definition of heroes: those who put themselves at risk for the benefit of others."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"An easy life is rarely meaningful and a meaningful life rarely easy."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"I would not trade you a billion dollars for the kids I led to combat in Vietnam or in fact any of the Marines that I served with for a quarter of a century."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"The terrorists that we are up against today do not rely upon cell phones and SAT phones and emails. They rely on couriers. You cannot intercept what a courier is telling somebody"

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"We lie by not telling you things...We don't lie by telling you things that aren't true."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"All of my high school male teachers were WWII and/or Korean War veterans. They taught my brothers and me the value of service to our country and reinforced what our dad had shown us about the meaning of service."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"A Commander-in-Chief needs to do two things. One - tell us who the enemy is. And two - say we are fighting to win."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"I was provided with additional input that was radically different from the truth. I assisted in furthering that version."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"I haven't, in the 23 years that I have been in the uniformed services of the United States of America, ever violated an order - not one."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"Heroes aren't athletes who set new sports records, or Hollywood actors who make 'daring' films or politicians who make bold promises. Heroes are people who place themselves at risk for the benefit of others."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"God knows, we don't want prayer."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"The average term length of a member of congress is approaching 15 years, and the average term length of a convicted criminal is less than three. We've got that backward."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"I think capital punishment's day is done in this country. I don't think it's fairly applied."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"History and war are cruel pedants. Those who know too little of the former are likely to have too much of the latter."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"I want to make it clear that I honestly answered every question put to me during the so-called Iran-Contra hearings. But if they didn't ask me about something, I wasn't about to reveal things that would put other people in jeopardy"

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"As a Marine officer in combat, I was responsible for the lives and safety of all the Marines who served with me."

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Oliver North Military Officer, Political Commentator
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"The good Lord gave me eight grandchildren, and I am convinced that through schools like Desert Christian that we are going to overwhelm the adversaries, not just with bombs and bullets, but with the demonstration of Christian principles."

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