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

The first and most important rule to observe...is to use our entire forces with the utmost energy. The second rule is to concentrate our power as much as possible against that section where the chief blows are to be delivered and to incur disadvantages elsewhere, so that our chances of success may increase at the decisive point. The third rule is never to waste time. Finally, the fourth rule is to follow up our successes with the utmost energy. Only pursuit of the beaten enemy gives the fruits of victory.

[...] to introduce into the philosophy of war itself a principle of moderation would be an absurdity

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.

Given the same amount of intelligence, timidity will do a thousand times more damage than audacity

War therefore is an act of violence to compel our opponent to fulfill our will.

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