War is a conflict of great interests which is settled by bloodshed, and only in that is it different from others.

War is not merely a political act but a real political instrument, a continuation of political intercourse, a carrying out of the same by other means.

Rather than comparing [war] to art we could more accurately compare it to commerce, which is also a conflict of human interests and activities; and it is still closer to politics, which in turn may be considered as a kind of commerce on a larger scale.

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.

To secure peace is to prepare for war.

Surprise becomes effective when we suddenly face the enemy at one point with far more troops than he expected. This type of numerical superiority is quite distinct from numerical superiority in general: it is the most powerful medium in the art of war.

The more a leader is in the habit of demanding from his men, the surer he will be that his demands will be answered.