The political object is the goal, war is the means of reaching it, and the means can never be considered in isolation form their purposes.

War is an act of violence pushed to its utmost bounds.

The world has a way of undermining complex plans. This is particularly true in fast moving environments. A fast moving environment can evolve more quickly than a complex plan can be adapted to it. By the time you have adapted, the target has changed.

Timidity is the root of prudence in the majority of men.

Any complex activity, if it is to be carried on with any degree of virtuosity, calls for appropriate gifts of intellect and temperament. If they are outstanding and reveal themselves in exceptional achievements, their possessor is called a 'genius'.

If the leader is filled with high ambition and if he pursues his aims with audacity and strength of will, he will reach them in spite of all obstacles.

Talent and genius operate outside the rules, and theory conflicts with practice.