"The more things change, the more they stay the same. Boundaries shift, new players step in; but power always finds a place to rest its head. We fought and bled along side the Russians; we should've known they’d hate us for it. History is written by the victor, and here I am, thinking we'd won. But you bring down one enemy and they find someone even worse to replace him. Locations change... the rationale, the objective. Yesterday's enemies are today’s recruits... Train them to fight alongside you and pray they don’t eventually decide to hate you for it, too."
— Shepherd's speech during the intro to S.S.D.D.
"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."
— Shepherd discussing the military might of the United States, during the briefing of Team Player
"Get up, Private Allen! Rangers lead the way! MOVE!"
— Shepherd telling Joseph Allen to go with the rest of the Rangers
"Five years ago, I lost 30,000 men in the blink of an eye. And the world just fuckin' watched. Tomorrow there will be no shortage of volunteers, no shortage of patriots. I know you understand."
— Shepherd before attempting to execute "Soap" MacTavish at the end of Endgame
"Do you have the DSM? Good, that's one less loose end."
— Shepherd, when Ghost and Roach bring the DSM to the extraction point
"We're gonna rewrite history, gentlemen."
— Shepherd
"Makarov's no prize. He's a whore. A mad-dog killer for the highest bidder. Just remember your new identity. It'll keep you alive."
— Shepherd to Joseph Allen
"Cain, was the first man ever to strike down another. And when the lord came to him and said "What have you done?", Cain could not hide his crime. For the voice of his brother's blood cried out from the very ground."
— Shepherd during the Infamy trailer