Policy is formed by preconceptions, by long implanted biases. When information is relayed to policy-makers, they respond in terms of what is already inside their heads and consequently make policy less to fit the facts than to fit the notions and intentions formed out of the mental baggage that has accumulated in their minds since childhood.

When the gap between ideal and real becomes too wide, the system breaks down.

Every successful revolution puts on in time the robes of the tyrant it has deposed.

The conduct of war was so much more interesting than its prevention.

Government remains the paramount area of folly because it is there that men seek power over others - only to lose it over themselves.

Wisdom - meaning judgment acting on experience, common sense, available knowledge, and a decent appreciation of probability.

The fleet sailed to its war base in the North Sea, headed not so much for some rendezvous with glory as for rendezvous with discretion.