In war, the chief incalculable is the human will.

The higher level of grand strategy [is] that of conducting war with a far-sighted regard to the state of the peace that will follow.

The urge to gain release from tension by action is a precipitating cause of war.

The more closely [the German army] converged on [Stalingrad], the narrower became their scope for tactical manoeuvre as a lever in loosening resistance. By contrast, the narrowing of the frontage made it easier for the defender to switch his local reserves to any threatened point on the defensive arc.

While hitting one must guard ... In order to hit with effect, the enemy must be taken off his guard.

War is always a matter of doing evil in the hope that good may come of it.

In a campaign against more than one state or army, it is more fruitful to concentrate first against the weaker partner than to attempt the overthrow of the stronger in the belief that the latter's defeat will automatically involve the collapse of the others.