In order to govern, the question is not to follow out a more or less valid theory but to build with whatever materials are at hand. The inevitable must be accepted and turned to advantage.

Cavalry is useful before, during, and after the battle.

Strangers are just friends waiting to happen. To become a good man, one must have faithful friends, or outright enemies.

Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.

I made all my generals out of mud.

Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.

An army marches on its stomach.