Call of Duty is arguably one of the most popular games and has enjoyed one of the most successful runs of any video game in gaming history. The developers have released many volumes of the Call of Duty game and have converted more users with each new game. Most players prefer to get these new games through game deals when they are available. 

One of the reasons Call of Duty enjoyed such popularity is its appreciation of iconic quotes from famous figures in history. It is fitting since the game is based on a reality heavily inspired by actual events in global history.

The main characters of different Call of Duty games have used some iconic quotes in epic moments of the story. However, today’s list will focus solely on quotes that directly reference memorable quotes in history. 

“History is written by the victor.”

File this unde the honorable mention category since it is not directy tied to any undisputed source. However, both Captain Price and General Shepherd from Modern Warfare 2 used this quote in their speeches – one at the very beginning, and the other one at the end:

General Shepherd: “We are the most powerful military force in the history of man. Every fight is our fight. Because what happens over here, matters over there. We don’t get to sit one out. Learning to use the tools of modern warfare is the difference between the prospering of your people, and utter destruction. We can’t give you freedom. But we can give you the know-how to acquire it.  And that, my friends, is worth more than a whole army base of steel. Sure it matters who’s got the biggest stick, but it matters a helluva lot more who’s swinging it. This is a time for heroes. A time for legends. History is written by the victors.

Let’s get to work.

Captain Price: “This is for the record. History is written by the victor. History is filled with liars. If he lives, and we die, his truth becomes written – and ours is lost. Shepherd will be a hero, ‘cause all you need to change the world is one good lie and a river of blood. He’s about to complete the greatest trick a liar ever played on history. His truth will be the truth. But only if he lives, and we die.”

Captain Price referenced a quote from General Shepherd in response to his newly revealed corruption. While the quote is attributed to the late great Winston Churchill, there is no direct correlation to an undisputed origin, which is why this mention is strictly honorable. Either way, it’s a really fun quote from the series. The following are direct in-game uses of famous quotes.

Memorable quotes used in the Call of Duty Franchise

Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die. – Herbert Hoover

Only the dead have seen the end of war. – Plato

Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. -Ernest Hemingway

War is as much a punishment to the punisher as it is to sufferer. – Thomas Jefferson

A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon. – Napoleon Bonaparte

All wars are civil wars, because all men are brothers. – Francois Fenelon

The more marines I have around, the better I like it. – General Clark, U.S. Army

The commander in the field is always right and the rear echelon is wrong, unless proved otherwise. – Colin Powell

The death of one man is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic. – Joseph Stalin

The real and lasting victories are those of peach, and not of war. – Ralph Waldo Emmerson

The deadliest weapon in the world is a marine and his rifle! – General John J. Pershing

If a man has done his best, what else is there? – General George S. Patton

I think the human race needs to think about killing. How much evil must we do to do good? – Robert McNamara

Heroes may not be braver than anyone else. They’re just brave five minutes longer – Ronal Reagan

I have never advocated war except as a means of peace. – Ulysses S. Grant

No battle plan survives contact with the enemy. – Colin Powell

So long as there are men, there will be wars. – Albert Einstein

Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power. – Abraham Lincoln

Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result. – Winston Churchill

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. – Winston Churchill

Never think that war, no matter how necessary, nor how justified, is not a crime. – Ernest Hemingway

Older men declare war. But it is the youth that must fight and die. – Herbert Hoover

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it. – Winston Churchill

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. – General George S. Patton

If the opposition disarms, well and good. If it refuses to disarm, we shall disarm it ourselves. – Joseph Stalin

Better to fight for something than live for nothing. – General George S. Patton

A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

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