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.

...as man under pressure tends to give in to physical and intellectual weakness, only great strength of will can lead to the objective.

In War more than anywhere else in the world things happen differently to what we had expected, and look differently when near, to what they did at a distance.

The Conqueror is always a lover of peace: he would prefer to take over our country unopposed.

Any complex activity, if it is to be carried on with any degree of virtuosity, calls for appropriate gifts of intellect and temperament. If they are outstanding and reveal themselves in exceptional achievements, their possessor is called a 'genius'.

Blind aggressiveness would destroy the attack itself, not the defense.

In war, while everything is simple, even the simplest thing is difficult. Difficulties accumulate and produce frictions which no one can comprehend who has not seen war.