What a solace Christianity must be to one who has an undoubted conviction of its truth!

One must indeed be ignorant of the methods of genius to suppose that it allows itself to be cramped by forms. Forms are for mediocrity, and it is fortunate that mediocrity can act only according to routine. Ability takes its flight unhindered.

When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of a battle-field, they have all one rank in my eyes.

In war as in love, to bring matters to a close, you must get close together.

The only victory over love is flight.

The great proof of madness is the disproportion of one's designs to one's means.

The first virtue in a soldier is endurance of fatigue; courage is only the second virtue.