Men are always more inclined to pitch their estimate of the enemy's strength too high than too low, such is human nature.

War is the domain of physical exertion and suffering.

Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

Lastly, the great uncertainty of all data in War is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not unfrequently — like the effect of a fog or moonshine — gives to things exaggerated dimensions and an unnatural appearance.

Where execution is dominant, as it is in the individual events of a war whether great or small, then intellectual factors are reduced to a minimum.

Self-reliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment.

If we read history with an open mind, we cannot fail to conclude that, among all the military virtues, the energetic conduct of war has always contributed most to glory and success.