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.

By 'intelligence' we mean every sort of information about the enemy and his country - the basis, in short, of our own plans and operations.

We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of them. Even with the violence of emotion, judgment and principle must still function like a ship’s compass, which records the slightest variations however rough the sea.

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 regarded as nothing but the continuation of state policy with other means.

In war the will is directed at an animate object that reacts.

If you entrench yourself behind strong fortifications, you compel the enemy seek a solution elsewhere.