We must evaluate the political sympathies of other states and the effect war may have on them. To assess these things in all their ramifications and diversity is plainly a colossal task. Rapid and correct appraisal of them clearly calls for the intuition of a genius; to master all this complex mass by sheer methodical examination is obviously impossible. Bonaparte was quite right when he said that Newton himself would quail before the algebraic problems it could pose.

To be practical, any plan must take account of the enemy's power to frustrate it.

In war everything is simple, but it's the simple things that are difficult.

The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing practical to alter or deflect the impulse to destroy the enemy, which is central to the very idea of war.

Politics is the womb in which war develops.

The side that feels the lesser urge for peace will naturally get the better bargain.

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