I didn't die nor win.

In the absence of orders, go find something and kill it.

Manstein is a man of illusions. ... He believes Hitler will listen to facts.

Don't fight a battle if you don't gain anything by winning.

The commander must establish personal and comradely contact with his men, but without giving away one inch of authority.

Men are basically smart or dumb and lazy or ambitious. The dumb and ambitious ones are dangerous and I get rid of them. The dumb and lazy ones I give mundane duties. The smart ambitious ones I put on my staff. The smart and lazy ones I make my commanders.

One cannot permit unique opportunities to slip by for the sake of trifles.