Boldness governed by superior intellect is the mark of a hero.

There are cases in which the greatest daring is the greatest wisdom.

It is even better to act quickly and err than to hesitate until the time of action is past.

“Great things alone can make a great mind, and petty things will make a petty mind unless a man rejects them as completely alien.”

“History had no lessons or rules to offer the student, it could only broaden his understanding and strengthen his critical judgment.”

“Pursue one great decisive aim with force and determination.”

“Of all the passions that inspire a man in a battle, none, we have to admit, is so powerful and so constant as the longing for honor and renown.”

“Everything in war is very simple, but the simplest thing is difficult.”

“Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.”

“If the mind is to emerge unscathed from this relentless struggle with the unforeseen, two qualities are indispensable: first, an intellect that, even in the darkest hour, retains some glimmerings of the inner light which leads to truth; and second, the courage to follow this faint light wherever it may lead.”

“The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect plan.”


“We repeat again: strength of character does not consist solely in having powerful feelings, but in maintaining one’s balance in spite of them. Even with the violence of emotion, judgment and principle must still function like a ship’s compass, which records the slightest variations however rough the sea.”

“If the leader is filled with high ambition and if he pursues his aims with audacity and strength of will, he will reach them in spite of all obstacles.”
“...as man under pressure tends to give in to physical and intellectual weakness, only great strength of will can lead to the objective.”

“The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy.”

“The side that feels the lesser urge for peace will naturally get the better bargain.”

There are very few men-and they are the exceptions-who are able to think and feel beyond the present moment.