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.

There are cases in which the greatest daring is the greatest wisdom.

War should never be thought of as something autonomous, but always as an instrument of policy.

There are times when the utmost daring is the height of wisdom.

Many intelligence reports in war are contradictory; even more are false, and most are uncertain.

A prince or general can best demonstrate his genius by managing a campaign exactly to suit his objectives and his resources, doing neither too much nor too little.

The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan.