“The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy.”

“Surprise becomes effective when we suddenly face the enemy at one point with far more troops than he expected. This type of numerical superiority is quite distinct from numerical superiority in general: it is the most powerful medium in the art of war.”

“War is such a dangerous business that mistakes that come from kindness are the very worst.”

“All war presupposes human weakness and seeks to exploit it.”

“We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of them. Even with the violence of emotion, judgment and principle must still function like a ship’s compass, which records the slightest variations however rough the sea.”

“...the side that feels the lesser urge for peace will naturally get the better bargain.”

“Of all the passions that inspire a man in a battle, none, we have to admit, is so powerful and so constant as the longing for honor and reknown.”