Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.

Patton contrasts material means with human agency: weapons and technology enable combat, but victory ultimately depends on morale, cohesion, discipline, and leadership. The “spirit” of soldiers—courage, endurance, willingness to act under fear—and the character and example of the commander are presented as decisive multipliers that turn resources into results. The line reflects a classic command philosophy associated with Patton’s WWII reputation: aggressive initiative and psychological dominance, where confidence and will are cultivated as operational assets. It also implies that leadership is relational: the leader’s spirit shapes the followers’, and the followers’ spirit validates the leader’s authority in action.