Albert Kropp: I think it's more a kind of fever. Nobody wants it in particular, and then all at once, there it is. We didn't want it. The English didn't want it. And here we are fighting.

Albert Kropp: [speaking of school] They never taught us really useful like how to light a cigarette in the wind, or make a fire out of wet wood, or bayonet a man in the belly instead of the ribs where it gets jammed.

Paul Bäumer: And our bodies are earth. And our thoughts are clay. And we sleep and eat with death.

Paul Bäumer: War isn't the way it looks back here.

Tjaden: Me and the Kaiser, we are both fighting. The only difference is the Kaiser isn't here!

Paul Bäumer: We live in the trenches out there. We fight. We try not to be killed, but sometimes we are. That's all.

Katczinsky: I'll tell you how it should all be done. Whenever there's a big war comin' on, you should rope off a big field...
Cigar-smoking soldier: And sell tickets.
Katczinsky: Yeah. And --- And on the big day, you should take all the kings and their cabinets and their generals, put 'em in the center dressed in their underpants, and let 'em fight it out with clubs. The best country wins.
[everybody murmurs in agreement]
Paul Bäumer: Well, now that Kat's settled everything, let's go see Kemmerick.

Paul Bäumer: You still think it's beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for country, it's better not to die at all.

Pastor Rosier Pile: War's way to the other side of the ocean, Alvin. Lots of things can happen before you get there. You put your trust in the Lord, and He'll look out for you.
Alvin: I done forgot the Lord! I ain't never gonna forget him again!

Sgt. Early: [at the target range] Remember, guys, you're usin' real live ammunition! A bullet hasn't got any brains! It'll hit whatever you're aimin' at, so don't start murdering each other!