The surer of himself an admiral is, the finer the tactical development of his fleet, the better his captains, the more reluctant must he necessarily be to enter into a melee with equal forces, in which all these advantages will be thrown away, chance reign supreme, and his fleet be place on terms of equality with an assemblage of ships which have never before acted together.
Alfred Thayer MahanFree supplies and open retreat are two essentials to the safety of an army or a fleet.
Alfred Thayer MahanOrganized force alone enables the quiet and the weak to go about their business and to sleep securely in their beds, safe from the violent without or within.
Alfred Thayer MahanThe surer of himself an admiral is, the finer the tactical development of his fleet, the better his captains, the more reluctant must he necessarily be to enter into a melee with equal forces, in which all these advantages will be thrown away, chance reign supreme, and his fleet be place on terms of equality with an assemblage of ships which have never before acted together.
Alfred Thayer MahanWar, once declared, must be waged offensively, aggressively. The enemy must not be fended off; but smitten down. You may then spare him every exaction, relinquish every gain, but โtil then he must be struck incessantly and remorselessly.
Alfred Thayer Mahan