Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
Churchill was praising the Royal Air Force fighter pilots during the Battle of Britain, which was then at its height. The “few” are the airmen, and the line was spoken six weeks after the battle began.
Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.
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.
All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and women merely players;
Because I could not stop for Death – / He kindly stopped for me –
Beware, for I am fearless and therefore powerful.