In the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards.

Boldness will be at a disadvantage only in an encounter with deliberate caution, which may be considered bold in its own right, and is certainly just as powerful and effective; but such cases are rare.

War is the realm of uncertainty; three-quarters of the factors on which action in war is based are wrapped in a fog of greater or lesser uncertainty. ... war is the realm of chance. No other human activity gives it greater scope; no other has such incessant and varied dealings with this intruder. Chance makes everything more uncertain and interferes with the whole course of events.

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.

Great things alone can make a great mind, and petty things will make a petty mind unless a man rejects them as completely alien.

War is merely a continuation of politics.

A certain grasp of military affairs is vital for those in charge of general policy.