War is just when it is necessary; arms are permissible when there is no hope except in arms.

Always assume incompetence before looking for conspiracy.

Sometimes it has been of great moment while the fight is going on, to disseminate words that pronounce the enemies' captain to be dead, or to have been conquered by another part of the army. Many times this has given victory to him who used it.

Among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised.

All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it's impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer.

Never lead your soldiers to battle if you have not first confirmed their spirit and known them to be without fear and ordered; and never test them except when you see that they hope to win.

For the mob is always impressed by appearances and by results, and the world is composed of the mob.