A reader asks, “was Churchill’s phrase ‘all will be well’ a one-time or habitual expression?” Answer: habitual.
Although not exclusive to him by any means, “all will be well” was a very frequent Churchillism. In South Africa in 1899-1900, the young Winston had picked up the Afrikaans phrase which translates “all will come right.” He used both phrases interchangeably because they expressed his sentiment. As he said at least once: “For myself I am an optimist—it does not seem to be much use being anything else…” (Guildhall, London, 9 November 1954, Churchill By Himself, page 10.)
There are a half dozen instances of “all will be well” in my book and many scores in his speeches. For example: “…live dangerously; take things as they come; dread naught, all will be well.” (1932, Churchill By Himself, page 20.)
The most famous use of the phrase was on 9 February 1941 in Churchill’s broadcast reply to Roosevelt, who had sent him the Longfellow poem, “Sail on, O Ship of State”:
“What is the answer that I shall give, in your name, to this great man, the thrice-chosen head of a nation of a hundred and thirty millions? Here is the answer which I will give to President Roosevelt: Put your confidence in us. Give us your faith and your blessing, and, under Providence, all will be well. We shall not fail or falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Neither the sudden shock of battle, nor the long-drawn trials of vigilance and exertion will wear us down. Give us the tools, and we will finish the job.” (Churchill By Himself, pages 6-7.)
In those days, a lot of people thought Churchill was whistling in the wind. And so did he on occasion–privately, of course–up until Pearl Harbor. From then on, he had no doubt about victory.