Given the same amount of intelligence, timidity will do a thousand times more damage than audacity

War is...a trinity of violence, chance, and reason.

Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

Whenever armed forces . . . are used, the idea of combat must be present. . . . The end for which a soldier is recruited, clothed, armed, and trained, the whole object of his sleeping, eating, drinking, and marching is simply that he should fight at the right place and the right time.

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

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

A prince or general can best demonstrate his genius by managing a campaign exactly to suit his objectives and his resources, doing neither too much nor too little.