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.

War is nothing but a continuation of politics with the admixture of other means.

Timidity is the root of prudence in the majority of men.

Close combat, man to man, is plainly to be regarded as the real basis of combat.

Beauty cannot be defined by abscissas and ordinates; neither are circles and ellipses created by their geometrical formulas.

Be audacious and cunning in your plans, firm and persevering in their execution, determined to find a glorious end.

War is only caused through the political intercourse of governments and nations - war is nothing but a continuation of political intercourse with an admixture of other means.