The bloody solution of the crisis, the effort for the destruction of the enemy's forces, is the first-born son of war.

Where absolute superiority is not attainable, you must produce a relative one at the decisive point by making skillful use ofwhat you have.

Self-reliance is the best defence against the pressures of the moment.

Lastly, the great uncertainty of all data in War is a peculiar difficulty, because all action must, to a certain extent, be planned in a mere twilight, which in addition not unfrequently — like the effect of a fog or moonshine — gives to things exaggerated dimensions and an unnatural appearance.

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

War is the domain of physical exertion and suffering.

War should never be thought of as something autonomous, but always as an instrument of policy.