Whereas ordinary officers must be content with behaving correctly in front of their men, the great leaders have always carefully stage-managed their effects.

He who laughs last didn't get the joke.

It is better to have a bad method than to have none.

Leaders of men are later remembered less for the usefulness of what they have achieved than for the sweep of their endeavors.

It's better to have a bad plan then no plan at all.

One can unite the French only under the threat of danger. One cannot simply bring together a nation that produces 265 kinds of cheese.

Only peril can bring the French together. One can't impose unity out of the blue on a country that has 265 different kinds of cheese.