“Wisdom consists of knowing how to distinguish the nature of trouble, and in choosing the lesser evil.”

“No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution.Nothing is of greater importance in time of war than in knowing how to make the best use of a fair opportunity when it is offered.Few men are brave by nature, but good discipline and experience make many so.”

“The vulgar crowd always is taken by appearances, and the world consists chiefly of the vulgar.”

“No proceeding is better than that which you have concealed from the enemy until the time you have executed it. To know how to recognize an opportunity in war, and take it, benefits you more than anything else. Nature creates few men brave, industry and training makes many. Discipline in war counts more than fury.”

“He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command”

“It may be observed, that provinces amid the vicissitudes to which they are subject, pass from order into confusion, and afterward recur to a state of order again; for the nature of mundane affairs not allowing them to continue in an even course, when they have arrived at their greatest perfection, they soon begin to decline. In the same manner, having been reduced by disorder, and sunk to their utmost state of depression, unable to descend lower, they, of necessity, reascend; and thus from good they gradually decline to evil, and from evil again return to good. The reason is, that valor produces peace; peace, repose; repose, disorder; disorder, ruin; so from disorder order springs; from order virtue, and from this, glory and good fortune.”

“For Time, driving all things before it, may bring with it evil as well as good.”