101. WINSTON CHURCHILL: Never yield to force
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was a British politician and Prime Minister during World War II, where he led the country against the Axis Powers. His unshakable leadership, inspiring speeches and refusal to back down to Hitler under any circumstances helped keep British confidence high and fortify the resistance. Churchill also won the Nobel Prize for Literature and was voted the greatest Briton of all time in a 2002 BBC poll.
Look who’s back, my favourite little Dragon and/or Troll-slayer! I love drawing the occasional monster and this guy seems to fit any determination or persistence quote I decide to use. His previous adventures can be seen in NEVER GIVE UP, MOUNTAINS AND VALLEYS and EVER TRIED, EVER FAILED.
- Leave your favourite Churchill quotes and stories in the comments.
- Thanks to Brian and Daniel for submitting this.
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It is a cold, cruel brutal world out there, but if you’re brace, if you never give up, never give in, and fight for what you believe in, victory shall be yours. Of course, my idea of being brave means being kind in the face of cruelty, but it is a victory nevertheless!
What if where you live, people are killed for no reason at all. Under pretenses of religion, castes or general dislike for a person. If a life is cheaper than a loaf of bread in a place. And any person may have a weapon here, for all you know. Would you still want to not yield to force?
Ask Ghandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. or Thich Nhat Hanh.
Those are the hardest times to adhere to the principles of non-violence and requires a resolve unheard of by those who take up arms. I remain convinced it is still the right way in the long run.
Would you not give in, if you were very certain that the moment you refuse to do so, you’re dead. No one would care you have a family.
In the long run yes, I concur! When many like us would stand up and be killed in process only then would come a Martin or Gandhi like man, as was the case with all the above mentioned respected freedom fighters.
I suppose that until we are in that situation, none of us know. But you don’t have to be a great leader to be brave. The family that sheltered Anne Frank during WWII weren’t freedom fighters, they were just people. Malala Yousufzai, the Pakstani girl who was shot for supporting education for women, was just 14. Rosa Parks was just a normal woman tired from working all day. In January, a teacher in California, who’d already been grazed by a bullet, stood in front of a shooter and convinced him to surrender to the police, preventing the murder of everybody in that classroom by facing certain death and saying there wouldn’t be any more shooting in his classroom. Any one of us is capable of great sacrifice, and great bravery.
The history is written by the victor.
WWII was a dreadfull peroid. (even though I’m born because of it) and the Nazis did horrible things. I have to add:
Hitler said the same to the germans.
And I guess you would never quote him.
Why should he?
Half the weight of a quote is the value of the speaker.
There would be no point to quoting Hitler. The goal of this blog is to share inspirational quotes through the medium of art. And a quote from Hitler, even if it were true, would only serve to create animosity, rather than inspiration.
You simply dont lionize genocidal mass murderers.
Yes, but depending who you ask, Churchill was perhaps responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths in Bengal when he refused to send food aid during a famine. That’s at least edging into the territory of genocidal mass murder, and without getting into even more controversial arguments about Churchill’s role before WWII, firebombing of civilians as a tactic etc.
The point being, it’s an almost childish oversimplification to say that Hitler was bad therefore anything he said should be ignored, but on the other hand to say that Churchill was good therefore his quotes are worthwhile.
I’m not saying Churchill was as bad as Hitler, but he was no unblemished hero. Luckily for him (and us), his side won, so he got to write the history and the Indians (and Boers, and others) who suffered and died thanks to him don’t get much of a say.
I am surprised that you know about the bengal famines.This is something that is almost always overlooked. . I get really disgusted by statements saying that the British fought for freedom , justice etc of against the genocidal axis powers , while they themselves enslaved so many. There is really little difference between the empire and the reich .
The Final panel is really what puts everything into perspective. Great Comic!
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.
one certainly doesn’t forget this one here.
Also I recommend listen to this speech, or this part (as it’s widely available). There’s something to it in audio.
(Tipp: Iron Maiden – Aces High, years ago that’s how I stumbled cross it)
cool! … kudos Gav! another great comic..
I have been following your work many months ago and I wanted to thank you for it Gav. I like this comic so much.
My favourite quote from Curchill is “Kites rise highest against the wind, not with it” but maybe this is so short.
It is a good quote, and a great comic. To me, if signifies a bold and true stand to whatever challanges our lives. It is as though churchill just read hemingway, looks to his mike, and scands that he always stands up to face his fears and enemies, might fall, but is never smitten.
I wonder how far that got him with his wife!
Anyhow – another great comic illustration. Keep up the good work.
“Never give in, except to convictions of honour AND GOOD SENSE.”
He probably knew when it would be good sense to keep his mouth shut XD
“If you you’re going through hell, keep going” -Winston Chruchill
(man, I hope this one’s not misattribute, but considering his style and the fact he fought with depression (his “black dog” thing)… I think it might be right)
Also, I kind of miss the one panel comics. That’s right Gav. *wink, wink* *nudge, nudge*
great comic bro
really needed this
Great Comic! Fantastic work of art!
Cheers!
First time to post a comment, a big fan. as always awesome, and inspiring. awesome comic
One comment is that the UK wasn’t completely alone in 1941. Britain and France declared war on September 3, 1939. Seven days later, on September 10, 1939, my country Canada likewise declared war on Germany. Not sure as to the dates other countries had joined but Britain wasn’t ever really alone in their fight.
Thanks for clarifying Zorbic
Yes, without the bravery the British, the Canadians, the Americans, the French and Winston (even the Russians, although they attempted to brainwash my Safta) showed, I would not exist. Thank your grandparents for me, please!
Can’t wait for this to go on sale in the store
Damn right, fight on the people who America opresses, fight and never give up.
This did not work out so well for Fingolfin vs Morgoth.
Fingolfin gave Morgoth a limp. That’s better than anyone else not of the Valar managed in the First Age.
buying this one for sure
Thank you Gav, I know I sent you this quote(or at least part of it), I’m sure others did as well. This is one of two ways I pictured this quote being drawn by you.
The other being one you already did, the Shaolin Monk and the stairs of never ending, with water buckets, I think I actually like this one better.
Heh… don’t know why, but for some reason I thought your little ‘guy’ was a girl… Interesting
But a great quote!
Did you know you’re supposed to pay to use Winston Churchill’s words? I’m not sure it’s a big problem as the internet certainly has a lot documented but it’s an interesting fact: http://www.freakonomics.com/2013/01/17/who-owns-the-words-that-come-out-of-your-mouth-a-new-freakonomics-radio-podcast/
Great link, thanks Frank. Looks like this one WON’T be for sale as a print. I don’t want Churchill’s estate to sue me!
Hehe whether you sell it or not, I can tell every time I see that little lionhearted boy that you have had a lot of fun making the strip.
There are so many great Churchill quotes:
Lady Astor: “You’re Drunk!”
Churchill: “Yes, and you are ugly. But tomorrow I will be sober. And you will still be ugly.”
——————————–
Lady Astor: “If I were married to you, I would put poison in your coffee!”
Churchill: “And if I were married to you, I’d drink it.”
——————————–
“If Hitler invaded Hell, I’d find a way to make a positive comment about the Devil in Commons.”
—————————–
“Ending one’s sentences with prepositions is something up with which we will not put.”
I believe it’s “Poison your tea”, but otherwise spot-on.
While attending a ceremony surrounding a statue of himself in Missouri, Sir Winston was approached by an enthusiastic woman in her early 20s.
“Mister Churchill, I’d like you to know I traveled more than a hundred miles this morning for the unveiling of your bust,” she said.
The great man looked over her for a second, and replied: “Madam, I assure you, in that regard I would gladly return the favor.”
—————————–
While at a restaurant with the Archbishop of Canterbury, a waitress offered him a drink, which he gladly accepted. The Archbishop refused, telling her “To accept alcohol would be second only to the sin of fornication.” Churchill enthusiastically called out, “Come back Miss, I didn’t know we had a choice!”.
—————————–
During debate in parliament, he told the opposing minister that he was “neither one thing nor the other”. The minister – a Mr. Bossom – dissolved into tears, and according to some accounts resigned from politics.
Superb. Made my day. I needed such a boost at this hour!
Love your work man!! this stuff is awesome
The panel where the ogre is lying stabbed through the rock just made my day…strangely. I’m loving this warrior guy!
When I see a new comic, I always hope that it’s a long one and scroll really slowly to savour it…am I the only one?
Love this one Gav, thank you 
(Although I haven’t found one I dislike yet).
During a speech from a member of the house, Churchill fell asleep.
The speaker then adressed him and asked:
“Mr. Churchill, must you fall asleep during my speech?”
Churchill comes back to him.
“No, it’s purely voluntary”
Now that I think of it, though he was an Englishman, he wasn’t much one for manners.
Re: “he wasn’t much one for manners.”
Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that his mother was American.
I didn’t know that, might’ve been a factor. However I don’t think the lack of politeness is something I would consider an “american trait” as it were. I think that just may be in comparison to other Brits he seemed like that.
It’s just a Churchill trait more than anything else.
The dragon slayer character is just perfect for motivation during impossible times
I somehow feel sorry for the ogre, coz of the panel where it is bleeding to death…a little more context would help i guess.
History, bro.
I’m afraid this is a quote I don’t relate to as much! I think yielding to force is sometimes a very wise approach to life.
My little contribution to Spanish readers:
«Nunca te rindas ante nada, nunca, nunca, nunca, sea grande o pequeño, sea importante o nimio; nunca te rindas, salvo ante las convicciones del honor y del buen sentido. Nunca cedas ante una fuerza ni ante poder aparentemente invencible del enemigo.»
Well, sadly, Churchil was a cynical, cold blooded, calculated politican. At the beginning of WWII Poland was left alone to die. And again in 1945, Poland- sons of which shed blood for the freedom of others, during WWII (vide: Battle of Britain, Monte Cassino, Tobruk, D-Day- and many others) was sold to criminal regime of communists (Russia).
Anyway, quote its true, and beatiful but the men who spoke those words- quite contrary. Sadly.
Poland, first to fight. Never gave up.
My favourite Churchill story is when he artificially created a famine and happily killed 3 million people in the process. In 1943, Churchill blocked food from entering the state of Bengal, India (then a British colony) and diverted them to British troops on the front lines. Churchill did not even care that 3 million Indians had died of starvation; he was an incredibly racist man, and it is appalling that he is venerated.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2031992,00.html
Every week I have to write an essay on tuesday and your comics always give me a big boost when I stall out. Just wanted to say thanks and keep it up!
Another great comic. This little guy is my favorite character of yours. He actually looks older in this one. Hope to see more of him and how he develops.
“I am strongly in favour of using poisoned gas against uncivilised tribes. The moral effect should be so good that the loss of life should be reduced to a minimum. It is not necessary to use only the most deadly gasses: gasses can be used which cause great inconvenience and would spread a lively terror and yet would leave no serious permanent effects on most of those affected.”
“I do not agree that the dog in a manger has the final right to the manger even though he may have lain there for a very long time. I do not admit that right. I do not admit for instance, that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia. I do not admit that a wrong has been done to these people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly wise race to put it that way, has come in and taken their place. “
Goosebumps… That final panel, walking out of the swamp, says it all. You can see the weight of the struggle, the satisfaction of overcoming the challenge and the relief of having made it, all in it. Plus, Churchill was badass…
Churchill is no Hero or saint , he was racist to the core.
He is at best a suave and cunning politician.
The breath with which winston churchill spoke about ‘defending freedom and fighting against injustice’ with the same breath he spoke against the Indian freedom struggle.
He wanted the freedom for the British but wouldnt agree on providing the same for the India or other colonies under imperial rule.
When Calcutta was hit by famine during 1943 some 3 million brown-skinned subjects of the Empire died in the Bengal. Churchill on his part ordered the diversion of food from starving Indians to already well-supplied British soldiers and stockpiles in Britain and elsewhere in Europe.
When the government in Delhi sent him a telegram about people perishing in the famine, Churchill’s only response to a telegram from was to ask why “Gandhi hadn’t died yet”.
To deify such a person is absolutely shameful.
This is just the one I need for this troubled times. You’ve done it again Gav!
Great art work!
By the way, why did the little man with the blade kill the poor monster who was only trying to defend its home, feed its defenseless children and protect its way of life from a foreign invader? I guess it should have yielded to the overwhelming might of its enemy.
Maybe they could have worked out their differences in a non-violent way if they had a little perspective and empathy.
I wanted to take the time to leave a comment in order to let you know how much your illustrations mean to me. The past two years of my life have not been the easiest, and on my darkest days, I’m able to get my strength and motivation through websites like this. Thank you for everything that you do, and I look forward to many more comics to come.
I also wanted to leave a comment asking whether or not you will ever be publishing your illustrations in a coffee book form? I would love having something like this hanging around my house that I could show to people. There’s just so much inspiration here, I want to share it with other people!
Thanks Brandon, appreciate it. Hopefully a book will be available in the future.
As an Indian, I can never understand the veneration Churchill receives from the west. Do the lives of 3 million Bengalis who were starved to death mean nothing? I’m sure Adolf Hitler must’ve said some very inspiring words, but no one quotes him? Does winning a war absolve one of even the ghastliest of crimes?
Speaking as someone living in England, I had never heard of this until I read these comments 5 minutes ago, but I’m not sure if everyone else is as ignorant as I was or if they choose to look it over. I think education often glosses over the bad things which the country you’re being taught in has done. For example, I would never have known about the British Empire from anything I learnt in school.
The slayer dude reminds me of Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes. His personality is rich, and the three comics tell a story about his life, and yet… I see good ol Calvin!
I know this isn’t Churchill related, but could you do a comic for Charlie Chaplin’s monologue call for democracy in his film “The Great Dictator”?
uhh uhh, yeah! *excited* seconded.
But… the little sword guy didn’t defeat the ogre. The stelagmite did when the ogre slipped. Fortune may favour the brave, but it’s foolish to believe that overwhelming odds are beaten by pure will power. Life isn’t the movies, or comics books. We are as equally in debt to chance and fortune as we are to skill and the Will to Power.
Love your comics!
because I’ve listened to this speech in one of those motivational videos on YouTube 
And just felt a connection with this (among some more others of your work
But now I’m confused because I’ve always thought the last words for this quote was, “never yield to the apparent leader who will have knighted the enemy” – meaning a leader that betrays the trust of his men and actually bows and takes orders from the enemy.
Looking online though, quotes to do say otherwise, mentioning the “apparently overwhelming might of the enemy”..
Could someone clear this up for me? Because even listening to the video over and over again (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwrWUlq7Xk4), I hear about the knighting part
This is one of my favorites:
“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life. “
Love it. Reminded me of Geralt of Rivia aka The Witcher
There’s always a great irony in Churchill’s rousing quotes, in that he has been the monster and the tyrant. People talk about Bengal and bombing civilian areas in WWII, but that’s nothing; in the 1920s he advocated wiping out the Kurds as a race using poisoned gas. The “monster” he stood up to was just him if he’d had his way to begin with.
And the funny thing is that Churchill did give in; he faced a force far smaller than his own, which had this unconventional idea of targeting officers and informants, because what good is an army if you can’t direct it? And it’s why Ireland got a parliament. Losing all those other colonies happened under other people’s watch, but he was complicate in losing to a country right next door with 1/11th of the population.
Simplesmente FODA D+
Hey Gav, I love your work. It’s truly inspirational. What font did you used at this cartoon?
Thank you!
As someone who feels confident enough to presume such a thing…
Churchill says some of the most metal things ever, this especially.