The French system of conscription brings together a fair sample of all classes; ours is composed of the scum of the earth - the mere scum of the earth. It is only wonderful that we should be able to make so much out of them afterwards.

The scum of the earth... but what fine soldiers we have made them.

I attribute my success on the battlefield to always being on the spot to see and do everything for myself

An extraordinary affair. I gave them their orders and they wanted to stay and discuss them.

The only thing I am afraid of is fear.

Be discreet in all things, and so render it unnecessary to be mysterious about any.

If you had seen one day of war, you would pray to God that you would never see another.