War Quotes
410 quotes
War
Strategic wisdom and leadership lessons from military history
410 Quotes
A fortress built by fear invites siege more surely than one raised by confidence
— War Council Memoirs
Safety and security lie in the subtlest art; victory belongs to those who know how to wait and when to strike
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book VI
If you make yourself indispensable, you will always be needed in the march, but never missed in the roll call
— Rommel Papers
The line between disorder and order lies in logistics
— Attributed; paraphrased from various letters and memoirs
The art of command is learning which orders must be given in the tumult of battle, and which must wait for the stillness after the storm
— Grant's Memoirs, Volume II
The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do
— Defeat Into Victory, 1956
He who tries to defend everything, defends nothing
— Correspondence with military advisors, 1770s
Valor grows by daring, fear by holding back
— Sententiae, Maxim 282
A commander's greatest strength lies not in his sword, but in his ability to make men believe
— Interview, 1980s
Against the insurmountable, every bridge is built from necessity, every crossing paid for in courage
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book VI
Where others see obstacles, a commander must see stepping stones
— On War, Book 6
In the fields of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind
— Speech at the University of Lille, 1854
Even in the greatest victory, wisdom lies in knowing when to stop the sword
— Reported summary of Scipio's philosophy (see Polybius, Roman histories)
It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one
— Letter to his niece Harriet Washington, 28 October 1791
The leader who sees the smallest hint of hesitation in his men is already late in restoring their resolve
— Memoirs, personal writings
There are only two kinds of plans: those that might work and those that won't; a commander must know the difference by instinct
— Memoirs of a Soldier, 1955
The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible
— Speech at Naval Academy, 1947
The hidden hand shapes the course of conflict more surely than the sword that glitters before the ranks
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts
— Speech at the University of Bristol, 1941
Tactics are the art of using men, strategy is the art of using time
— Summary of the Art of War, Part II
Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price
— Speech to the Corps, West Point, May 1962
The side which tires first, loses the battle
— Anecdotally attributed to Napoleon in officers’ memoirs
Losses intolerable in one hour can be borne, if spread over years
— The Second World War, Volume VI: Triumph and Tragedy (1953)
Nothing is so difficult as to decide, and especially to decide in the absence of certainty
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book II
A great battle changes the climate of the world, and it is followed by storms in the souls of men
— Speech to the House of Commons, 1940 (paraphrased excerpt)
The greatest enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect one
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book I
A general who listens to the wind before the battle learns more than from the noise that follows
— Attributed, medieval chronicles
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting
— The Art of War, Chapter 3
Discipline, once forged, is the invisible armor worn into every uncertain dawn
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book I
The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another
— Personal notes and writings, c. 1945
Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If you’re in control, they’re in control
— Interview statements and coaching philosophy
The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage
— History of the Peloponnesian War, Book II
Battles are sometimes won by superior numbers, sometimes by superior tactics, but more often by the spirit in which men endure long uncertainty
— On War, Book III, Chapter 3
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win
— The Art of War, Chapter 4
To see what is right and not do it is want of courage
— Analects, Book II
A river will cut through stone not by force, but by flowing steadfast and unseen until resistance wears away
— Interview, post-Dien Bien Phu reflections
In war, as in life, it is not certainty that prevails but audacity of spirit
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book 1
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity
— The Art of War, Chapter 5
The longest marches begin with a single doubt conquered at dawn
— Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant
If everybody is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking
— Attributed in various speeches and writings
When the horizon is shrouded in fog, every decision becomes its own beacon
— Memoirs and reflections on command
He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat
— Maxims of War, 1808
The greatest obstacle is not the enemy before you, but the doubt within you
— Published correspondence
In peace, sons bury their fathers. In war, fathers bury their sons
— Histories, Book 1
The field separates the men from the officers, but the dusk reveals them both as simply human
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter 59
Few men are born brave; many become so through training and force of discipline
— De Re Militari, Book III
If I had only known, I would have been a locksmith
— When asked about his role in atomic research during WWII; widely referenced in biographical accounts
To see into the heart of chaos is to glimpse the logic with which conflict arranges the world
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book 2
Circumstances are the generals to whom every commander must yield
— Private letters, 1807
A ruler's greatest error is to mistake obedience for loyalty; the march may be orderly, but the heart may already have deserted the cause
— Attributed, letters and conversations
Opportunities multiply as they are seized
— The Art of War
To achieve the possible, we must attempt the impossible again and again
— Reflections on war and peace (often attributed, recorded in letter 1947)
In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock
— Letter to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 24 November 1808
In war, three-quarters turns on personal character and relations; the balance of manpower and materials counts only for the remaining quarter
— Reported by Antoine-Henri Jomini, 'Summary of the Art of War', Chapter 3
In war, there is no substitute for victory
— Farewell address to Congress, 1951
A campaign is a succession of actions unattainable in their perfection but saved by the determination to persist
— Military Maxims, 1869
Neither the finest sword nor the grandest strategy will avail if the heart of the leader falters in the hour when resolve is most needed
— Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant
The greatest battles are fought in the mind long before the first drum of war is sounded
— Attributed in military essays and letters
If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles
— The Art of War, Chapter 3
I have lived long enough to know that an army, like a serpent, moves upon its belly
— Attributed remark
A pint of sweat will save a gallon of blood
— Various speeches and writings, c. 1940s
Courage stands halfway between cowardice and rashness, one of which is a lack, the other an excess of courage
— Moralia
Where order is critical, even silence is a command
— Hagakure
Bold moves open doors that caution overlooks, yet it is wisdom that must decide when to step through
— Notable sayings in strategic circles, related to Moltke's writings; paraphrased from his principles
Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes
— Dhammapada
Surprise moves the balance more than strength; the unexpected blow wins what force alone could not reach
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book VI
It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it
— Speech to the U.S. Military Academy, 1962
Hard pressed on my right; my center is yielding; impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent, I am attacking
— Telegram during First Battle of the Marne (1914)
An army reveals its character not in triumph but in how it regroups after a setback
— Military address to staff officers, WWII era
Steel alone does not hold the line; it is the invisible chain of mutual trust between soldiers that withstands the fiercest assault
— Letters from the Front, North Africa Campaign
A soldier's mind is sharpened not by peace, but by weathering the storms that mark every campaign
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book I
On the fields where courage wavers, it is discipline that holds the line when hope is outpaced by fear
— Military correspondence, 19th century
The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle
— Interview, attributed aphorism
No captain can do very wrong if he places his ship alongside that of the enemy
— Attributed during Battle of Cape St. Vincent, 1797
Steel is cunning, but the river cuts its way despite the hardness of stone
— The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho)
War is much too serious a thing to be left to military men
— Attributed remark during World War I
An army that lacks unity is defeated before the first arrow flies
— Attributed in various Arabic biographies (exact source debated)
To change the outcome, one must first change the question he asks upon meeting resistance
— Attributed to Grant's leadership ethos, not from a specific book or speech
Speed is the essence of my war; even the wind cannot catch up with me
— As attributed in The Secret History of the Mongols
Men follow courage into fire, but follow hope when the embers die
— Memoirs: Crusade in Europe
The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not to be swayed by petty doubts
— Instructions for Large Unit Commanders, 1869
The most difficult thing is to make a decision to act; the rest is merely tenacity
— Autobiography, The Fun of It (1932)
An army of sheep led by a lion is better than an army of lions led by a sheep
— Attributed historically, various ancient sources
No soldier outlives a thousand chances, but every soldier believes in Chance and trusts his luck
— All Quiet on the Western Front
The best morale exists when you never hear the word mentioned, when you hear instead steady muttering about food
— The Mint (Book, 1955)
When two mountains meet, it is not their height that decides but the secrets carried in their shadows
— Paraphrased teaching, The Book of Five Rings: The Ground Book
No advantage is gained by haste; patience shapes victory as surely as steel shapes a blade
— Speech to his retainers before the Battle of Sekigahara, 1600
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt
— The Art of War, Chapter VII
True command is measured not in obedience but in the quiet trust that soldiers vest in the unseen hands guiding them
— Attributed comment to staff officers, late 19th century
Steel is forged with fire, and men with adversity
— .
An army is a team. It lives, eats, sleeps, fights as a team. This individuality stuff is a bunch of crap
— Speech to the Third Army, 1944
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them
— Address to the White House Correspondents’ Association, 1941
Even the sharpest blade is tempered by the coldest hours before dawn
— The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho)
The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy
— Profiles in Courage, 1955
To seize initiative is to see the world as it is not, and to act before the horizon becomes common knowledge
— On War, Book IV (Strategic offensive and defensive)
The best form of government is that which teaches us to govern ourselves
— Attributed, various letters and memoirs
The battlefield is a canvas, and every maneuver is a stroke that reveals the soul of a commander
— On War (Vom Kriege)
A true commander sees with more than eyes; he listens to the silence between thunder and knows what stillness foretells
— The Book of Five Rings
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight
— The Art of War, Chapter III
The silence before dawn teaches more than the storm that follows at first light
— Attributed, campaign correspondence during early Islamic conquests
The arrow that overshoots the mark was drawn by a hand too eager to win
— The Book of Five Rings, Wind Book
A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends
— The Art of Worldly Wisdom, Maxim 68
No plan survives first contact with the enemy
— Military writings, 19th century
It is the recognition of necessity that makes men brace themselves to endure adversity
— On War, Book I, Chapter 1
To move swiftly, decide slowly
— On War, Book IV
No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself
— Some Fruits of Solitude (1693)
Every man thinks meanly of himself for not having been a soldier
— Boswell’s Life of Johnson
History turns on the smallest hinge—often a single rider carrying a dispatch shapes the outcome of a thousand men
— Letter to Prince Frederick Charles, June 1870
No man is a leader until his appointment is ratified in the hearts and minds of his men
— Speech to West Point cadets, 1946
Silence and patience are weapons sharper than any blade on the field
— The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin no Sho), 'Water' Scroll
The best fortress which a prince can possess is the affection of his people
— The Prince, Chapter 20
It is not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog
— Frequently attributed; Eisenhower speeches, c. 1952
Men are made brave by necessity, and terrible by despair
— The Art of War, Book VII (paraphrased)
When surrounded by an overwhelming foe, the road forward is the one least guarded by fear
— General aphorism associated with his doctrines; not verbatim from On War
The real hero is always a hero by mistake; he dreams of being an honest coward like everybody else
— Travels in Hyperreality
The soldier’s heart, the soldier’s spirit, the soldier’s soul are everything; unless a soldier is imbued with the energy of his cause, discipline is but the husk of soldiery, not the kernel
— Speech to the Michigan Military Academy, 1879
Strategy is the craft of the warrior; to outwit the foe is to shape the very fate of nations
— The Book of Five Rings
A general is just a soldier with greater responsibilities, whose errors are the costliest
— Attributed in military correspondence
Courage is not the absence of fear, but the judgment that something else is more important than fear
— .
The most dangerous moment comes with victory
— Memoirs (reported)
Fix bayonets; on the double, forward
— Order given at the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2, 1863
The backbone of surprise is fusing speed with secrecy
— Achtung–Panzer! (1937)
Disaster awaits those who refuse to adapt to changing circumstances
— Memoirs; context of Vietnam's struggle against colonial powers
The real trouble with war is that it gives no one a chance to grow up, except in the sense of growing old
— Essay: The Soldier's Return, 1945
Nightfall is not a retreat, but a cloak for the patient and a snare for the reckless
— On War, Book VI
Those who fight monsters should see to it that they themselves do not become monsters
— Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 146
Each moment of hesitation is a crack through which uncertainty invades the line
— Infantry Attacks (Infanterie greift an)
It is better to outthink the enemy than to outfight him
— The Rommel Papers (1953)
Men are haunted by the vastness of eternity, and so we ask ourselves: will our actions echo across the centuries?
— Film: Troy (2004)
History is full of men who rose to the occasion, when it was more convenient for them to let the occasion overawe them
— Speech at Dartmouth College, June 14, 1953
In battle, in the moment of crisis, the essence of man surfaces; courage and character reveal themselves
— On War, Book I, Chapter 3
An army of principles can penetrate where an army of soldiers cannot
— Letter to the Abbé Raynal, 1782
There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure
— Speech at the 1989 American Legion National Convention
The silent hour before dawn gives its secrets only to those who have mastered the art of waiting
— Hagakure, reflections on discipline
A lion does not concern himself with the opinion of sheep
— Proverb, used in military or leadership contexts; not a direct literary source
The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him
— Illustrated London News, 1911
It is not by muscle, speed, or physical dexterity that great things are achieved, but by reflection, force of character, and judgment
— Meditations, Book 6
The object of war is not to occupy territory, but to shape the world’s possibilities
— On War, Book VIII
To win without risk is to triumph without glory
— Le Cid (1636)
A single arrow is easily broken, but not ten in a bundle
— The Book of Five Rings
A wise commander listens to the silence between the cannonades; in stillness, intention is revealed
— On War (Vom Kriege)
Even a river cuts through stone not by force, but by unwavering persistence over time
— Memoirs: People’s War, People’s Army
The way to win an atomic war is to make certain it never starts
— Speech to Boston Chamber of Commerce, 1948
It is not the roar of the cannon, but the silence before the charge that tests a soldier's resolve
— Personal correspondence, 1880s
A commander’s vision must stretch beyond the horizon, lest he mistake the edge of the map for the edge of the world
— On War (Vom Kriege)
Surprise is an event that takes place in the mind of a commander
— On War, Book III
To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less
— Les Voix du Silence (The Voices of Silence)
An army is a society within a society; it is one whose customs and habits are shaped by the necessities of war and the character of discipline
— On War, Book III
Better to fight for something than live for nothing
— Speech to the Third Army, 1944
A true leader does not shatter the mountain before him, but finds a path through its shadows
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom
In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated, accept your limits and overcome them with boldness
— Battle Studies (Études sur le combat), 1880
Great crises produce great men and great deeds of courage
— Speech at Boston College Alumni Banquet, November 15, 1956
Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity
— War as I Knew It, 1947
How much easier it is to be critical than to be correct
— Speech in the House of Commons, 1873
There are but two powers in the world, the sword and the mind; in the long run, the sword is always beaten by the mind
— Attributed in various letters and memoirs
If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable
— Epistulae Morales ad Lucilium, Letter 71
A single drumbeat may summon a thousand hearts to courage, but one doubtful glance can scatter them to shadows
— Hagakure, Book 1
Superior intellects are not won by force, but by reason and persuasion; armies can conquer territories, but never minds
— On War, Book II
It is the job of thinking people not to be on the side of the executioners
— “Neither Victims Nor Executioners” essay
To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence
— The Art of War, Chapter 4
The mark of a true commander is to see not only the field before him, but the shadow it casts on tomorrow
— Military Essays
The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane
— Meditations, Book VI
He is best secure from dangers who is on his guard even when he seems safest
— Sententiae (Moral Sayings)
The noise of drums fades, but the silence of resolve lingers in every turning point
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom
There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown hopeless about them
— Speech to officers, 1918
It is the nature of war to increase the number of enemies and decrease the number of friends
— The Art of War, Book VI
The line between order and chaos lies in the discipline of the ranks
— Speech to officers, Hanoi, 1963
Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far
— Speech at Minnesota State Fair, 1901
In the end, it is impossible not to become what others believe you are
— attributed by ancient biographers
Nothing except a battle lost can be half so melancholy as a battle won
— Letter to Lady Georgiana Lennox, 1815
A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week
— Speech to officers, 1944
A prudent general considers all the ways by which he may defeat his adversary, but he never commits to a path until the hour demands his resolve
— On War, Book 6 (Defense), Section B
The strength of an army lies not in its weapons but in the quiet courage of those who hold the line unseen
— Private correspondence to subordinates, 1944
I have not yet begun to fight
— Verbal reply during the Battle of Flamborough Head, 1779
Mountains and rivers may determine the lines on the map, but it is resolve that cements them into history
— Attributed speech, 1875
In war, truth is the first casualty
— Attributed; not from extant plays
In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable
— Speech to the National Defense Executive Reserve Conference, 1957
Caution is the eldest child of wisdom
— Les Misérables
The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war
— Attributed, various interviews circa 1990-1991
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom
— The Art of War, Chapter 10
Those who command tomorrow's field must train their vision on the mists beyond the horizon
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Chapter XX
An army’s spirit is tasted in hunger and refrains from bitterness when the cause outweighs the ration
— Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
A leader is a dealer in hope
— Attributed by contemporaries, notably Antoine de Las Cases in 'Memoirs of Napoleon'
Courage above all things is the first quality of a warrior
— 'On War' (Vom Kriege), Book I, Chapter 3
The object in war is a more perfect peace
— Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman, Volume 2
Battles are decided not by soldiers alone, but by the unseen hand of fate weighing upon every command given and every risk taken
— On War
If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn’t thinking
— Attributed. Widely cited in Patton biographies
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles
— Discourses on Livy, Book 3
When the arrows darken the sky, let us fight in the shade
— Herodotus, The Histories, Book VII
Men are led by their dreams as much as by their orders, and an army’s resolve is a tapestry woven from both
— Memoirs of General Giap
Battles are sometimes won by generals; wars are nearly always won by sergeants and privates
— The Roman Art of War Under the Republic, 1940
If you wish for peace, understand war
— Why Don't We Learn from History? (1944)
Courage, above all things, is the first quality of a warrior
— On War, Book 1, Chapter 3
He who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is mighty
— Tao Te Ching, Chapter 33
There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet an enemy
— Letter to Congress, 1790
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past
— The Art of War
There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct, or more uncertain in its success, than to take the lead in the introduction of a new order of things
— The Prince, Chapter 6
The merit of all things lies in their difficulty
— Instructions to his troops
No man ever wetted clay and then left it, as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune
— Moralia, On Fortune
To be defeated is pardonable; to be surprised never
— Personal correspondence
The supreme act of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting
— The Art of War, Chapter 3
There are heights to be won which but for the columns of smoke and fire would never reveal their path
— Personal memoirs, recalling Vicksburg campaign
We are not retreating; we are advancing in another direction
— Statement during the Korean War, 1950
The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in combat
— Rogue Warrior (1992)
Calm in the midst of disarray is the surest compass for those leading men through uncertainty
— Hagakure
There are only two forces in the world, the sword and the spirit. In the long run, the sword will always be conquered by the spirit
— Letter to Louis de Fontanes, 1808
My logistics were a miracle, but miracles alone do not win wars
— Reflections on Pacific War, post-WWII
The horizon tempts all men, but only those who persist beyond the first dusk ever see the new day rise on unconquered ground
— Oral tradition, early Islamic campaigns
Courage is endurance for one moment more
— speech to troops, Sicily, 1943
A wise man in times of peace prepares for war, but it is only during war that the soul is truly tested
— Military correspondence, date uncertain
The business of life is to endeavor to be what one appears to be
— Aphorisms
Nothing braces the mind so much as the knowledge a step too slow may cost an empire
— Private correspondence during the Peninsular War
Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past
— Discourses on Livy, Book III, Chapter 43
The noise of actions fades, but decisions echo in every heart that marched behind the flag
— Address to West Point, 1946
In the realm of conflict, the line between triumph and ruin runs through every decision left unmade
— Military correspondence, 1871
Victory often comes to those who adapt faster than they resist
— Military Art of People's War (speech, 1961)
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship
— Summa Theologica, Second Part of the Second Part, Question 23
Let him who desires peace prepare for war
— Epitoma Rei Militaris, Book III
All warfare is based on deception
— The Art of War, Chapter I
Great is the guilt of an unnecessary war
— Letter to Abigail Adams, 1797
Amateurs talk about tactics, but professionals study logistics
— Attributed in postwar interviews
In war, there is no prize for the runner-up
— A Soldier’s Story (1951)
The most difficult thing about a military campaign is its entrance
— Commentarii de Bello Gallico (The Gallic Wars)
Every campaign is founded as much on maps of the mind as on maps of the land; the true frontier is drawn by imagination and will
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Maps show the land we intend to take, but only resolve marks the ground we keep
— Military correspondence, 1864
The courage of leadership is giving others the chance to succeed even though you bear the responsibility for getting things done
— Military Leader Conference speech, 2016
In war, events of importance are the result of trivial causes
— Commentarii de Bello Gallico (The Gallic Wars)
Audacity augments courage; hesitation, however rational, is always fatal
— On War, Book III
When soldiers have been baptized in the fire of battle, they have all one rank in my eyes
— Remark after the Battle of Arcole, 1796
Fortune favors the bold
— Attributed in various historical accounts
To secure peace is to prepare for war
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book VI
The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him
— The Prince, Chapter 22
Discipline is the bridge between thoughtful intention and decisive action on the field
— Remarks to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, 1947
True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information
— Speech to House of Commons, November 1939
It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves
— Interview, 1975
Men make history, but not under circumstances of their own choosing
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book I, Chapter 1
A warrior’s silence before the storm is not the absence of fear, but the mastery of it
— The Book of Five Rings, Earth Scroll
Strength lies not in numbers but in unity of purpose; without it, armies dissolve and empires fade
— Defeat into Victory, 1956
The vital spark of all strategy is surprise; lose it, and you fight only on the enemy's terms
— Strategy: The Indirect Approach, 1941
Armies, like plants, require cultivation to bear fruit
— Correspondence and Maxims
To maneuver is not merely to move, but to create a reality in which the enemy’s strongest asset becomes his greatest liability
— Military correspondence, The Art of War (Der Krieg)
It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles
— Discourses on Livy, Book III, Chapter 1
If you want to test a man's character, give him power
— Attributed, various speeches and letters
By perseverance, study, and eternal desire, any man can become great
— War As I Knew It (1947)
Victories are not gained by idle hopes, nor by a waiting upon Providence, but by daring enterprise
— Letter to Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton, 1798
Victory belongs to the most persevering
— Attributed (common summary of Napoleon’s remarks in various writings/speeches)
To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace
— First Annual Message to Congress, January 8, 1790
In battles, the moment which decides victory is the one for which no one has made allowance
— Speech, House of Commons, 1859
It is easier to lead men to combat, stirring up their passion, than to restrain them and direct their efforts toward the patient labors of peace
— Notebooks, 1890–1947
It is with a sense for the rhythm of movement, not the force of blows, that the artful commander shapes the outcome
— The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho)
If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined
— Attributed after the Battle of Asculum
The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other guy die for his
— Speech to the Third Army, 1944
The whole art of war consists of guessing at what is on the other side of the hill
— Attributed, often referenced in military histories
It is not the number of troops, but their resolve that decides the day
— Letter to Emperor Heraclius, 636 AD
It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it
— Remark at the Battle of Fredericksburg (1862)
There are no hopeless situations; there are only men who have grown hopeless about them
— Quoted in Suvorov's memoirs and attributed in Russian military lore
Drums may quicken the heart, but it is resolve that steadies the hand
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book One, On the Nature of War
Discipline, which begins in the barracks, decides on the battlefield who prevails and who flees
— On War, Book III
The best weapon against an enemy is another enemy
— Beyond Good and Evil, Aphorism 188
We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us
— Attributed; widely circulated in military and political commentary
The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle
— Statement on the U.S. Marine Corps
The only thing harder than getting a new idea into the military mind is to get an old one out
— Why Don't We Learn from History?, Chapter 2
Strategy is born in the space between caution and boldness, where risk becomes the price of shaping the future
— Military Essays and Correspondence
I have lived long enough to know that an army, like a serpent, moves upon its belly
— Private correspondence, 19th century
Plans are nothing; planning is everything
— Speech to National Defense Executive Reserve Conference, 1957
An army's effectiveness depends on its ability to act swiftly when opportunity arises and to adapt quietly when fortune turns
— On War, Book III
To march without understanding the map within as well as the map without is to be lost though you stand at the head of ten thousand
— Battle counsel, campaigns in Syria (oral tradition)
Every weapon forged is a warning to both its bearer and his adversary, for power binds its owner as surely as it threatens his foe
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom
Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable; procures success to the weak, and esteem to all
— Letter to the captains of the Virginia Regiments, July 29, 1759
The line between disorder and order lies in logistics
— Attributed, various military writings
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust
— The Art of War
Audacity succeeds as often as it fails; only those who dare, achieve; those who calculate too much remain spectators
— On War, Book 3
In war, the difference between triumph and ruin is often no thicker than the fog of dawn on a quiet field
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book I
The greatest weapon against an enemy is another enemy
— Beyond Good and Evil, section 175
To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less
— Man’s Fate (1933)
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon
— Reported remarks, as recorded in contemporaneous accounts
When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more for your coveted goal
— Advice to his marshals, recorded in various letters
Leadership on the battlefield demands not only courage, but the humility to listen for wisdom among the footfalls of ordinary soldiers
— Speech to officers, WWII, England, 1944
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle
— The Art of War, Chapter 3
Courage is fear holding on a minute longer
— War as I Knew It, 1947
Cunning often carries the day where force would break, for subtlety walks through doors that brute strength batters closed
— The Art of War, commentary fragment
The man who knows how to marshal silence as well as words shapes the field long before the first horn sounds
— Attributed in military correspondence, 1809
To lead untrained men to war is to throw them away
— Analects, Book XIII, passage 29
The key to war is not the destruction of the enemy’s armies, but the breaking of his will
— Strategy, 1954
The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if there is no cat
— Analects (attributed), c. 5th century BCE
Battles, sometimes, are won by the sword, sometimes by the pen, but often by the timely whisper in a weary ear
— Attributed to Clausewitz by his students (not in On War); reported in tactical studies
Only those who have learned the rhythm of retreat can orchestrate the thunder of pursuit
— Attributed in postwar recollections and letters
Armies are more often broken by want of discipline than by the force of iron
— Letter to Sir John Macdonald, 1827
The arrow spends itself in an instant, but the archer lives with the aim for a lifetime
— Attributed in historical anecdotes and war chronicle writings
In every campaign, the landscape is a silent adversary, shifting loyalties with the seasons and yielding favor only to those who observe closely
— Collected Military Papers
There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is to use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wounds, death and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time
— Speech to Third Army, 1944
Weapons are instruments of ill omen and not the tools of the noble. When their use is unavoidable, calm restraint is best
— The Art of War, Chapter 12
No plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first contact with the main hostile force
— Military writings (often paraphrased as 'no plan survives contact with the enemy'), early 19th century
The sea favors those who command the weather within, not merely the winds without
— Private correspondence (1942)
To foresee a victory is not to seek it by force, but to shape the conditions that make it inevitable
— Attributed to The Art of War, commentary traditions
To command is to serve; nothing more and nothing less
— Addresses and speeches, c. 1958
A wise man never blames his tools; he learns their limits and invents victory within them
— Attributed; teachings compiled by disciples
A wise commander knows the weight of silence before decisions; often, prudence is sharper than any blade
— . Personal remarks to his staff (1945)
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake
— Attributed in various writings and military correspondence
Armies are not mere massed men, but masses of men, who must be inspired with courage and confidence before they can fight successfully
— Command Notes, April 1917
The art of war is simple enough. Find out where your enemy is. Get at him as soon as you can. Strike him as hard as you can, and keep moving on
— Personal memoirs, various speeches (widely attributed)
He who sweats more in training bleeds less in war
— Attributed by Roman historians, often cited in military training
I am more afraid of an army of one hundred sheep led by a lion than an army of one hundred lions led by a sheep
— Attributed, early 19th century correspondence
A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends
— The Art of Worldly Wisdom, aphorism 68
War is not so much a matter of weapons as of money
— History of the Peloponnesian War, Book II
The real glory is being knocked to your knees and then coming back; that’s real glory
— speech to West Point cadets
There are no desperate situations, there are only desperate people
— Panzer Leader (1950)
Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat
— The Devil and the Good Lord (1951)
Every field bears its scars; victory is simply the right to choose what is remembered
— Morale, a speech to the 14th Army (1944)
What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog
— Speech to the Republican National Convention, 1958
Age wrinkles the body; quitting wrinkles the soul
— Speech to cadets at West Point, 1962
In war, the simpler the plan, the better the result
— Infantry Attacks (book)
An army exposed to constant danger loses its fear, and loses its caution, so when the unexpected strikes, disaster follows swiftly
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book III
Great captains are forged not by their victories, but by the weight of decisions made when defeat seemed inevitable
— Memoirs, post-exile reflections
Even when a friend does something you do not like, he continues to be your friend. But an enemy, even if he does something you like, continues to be your enemy
— The Jugurthine War, Section 41
A river’s patience carves canyons, just as endurance shapes the outcome of every long campaign
— The Book of Five Rings
The enemy of a good plan is the dream of a perfect one
— On War, Book 1
It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die than to find those who are willing to endure pain with patience
— Commentarii de Bello Gallico, Book VII
Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man
— Speech to Third Army Officers, 1944
There are no secrets to be discovered in battle, only truths to be revealed by the fire of necessity
— On War, Book VI
To be a good soldier, you must love the army. To be a good commander, you must be willing to order the death of the thing you love
— As quoted in Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee, Chapter XXV
A prudent commander is not guided by wishes, but by calculation
— Memoirs, various addresses (paraphrased)
The fate of empires depends on the education of youth
— Attributed; discussed in context of his teachings to rulers
Discipline is the armor that no weapon can pierce
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book III
Resolve is not born on the battlefield, but forged long before in the quiet decisions of uncertain nights
— Thoughts on War (1932)
The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven
— Paradise Lost, Book I
The greatest triumphs are often those which danger and misfortune have taught us to deserve
— Reminiscences (memoir)
He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat
— Attributed, various letters
A wise man makes his own decisions, an ignorant man follows the public opinion
— -
To endure defeat with dignity is to plant the seed of future victory
— St. Helena writings (attributed)
A commander’s greatest skill is knowing when an hour of hesitation is wiser than a day’s advance
— Attributed remark on military decision-making
When you strike at a king, you must kill him
— Essay: 'Compensation' (1841)
Where water finds its level, a wise commander finds his advantage hidden among the contours none see
— Arthashastra, Book IX
The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle
— Inspection of troops, c. 1917
The art of war is to gain the advantage from all the conditions and to seize upon even the smallest mistakes of the enemy as opportunities
— Maxims of War
The true soldier is not immune to fear, but walks steadily forward in the presence of it
— Defeat Into Victory (1956)
To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself
— The Concept of Dread
Only the dead have seen the end of war
— Speech to the Third Army, 1945
In war, the moral is to the physical as three to one
— Ascribed in various memoirs and military writings
To be victorious, one must be able to change tactics as rapidly as shadow shifts beneath the rising sun
— On War, Book VI
When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more for your coveted goal
— Think and Grow Rich, 1937
If you want to shine like the sun, first burn like the sun
— Wings of Fire (Autobiography), 1999
Strategy reveals itself not in the plans we cherish but in the adversities we survive
— Personal letters, 1944
The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must
— 'History of the Peloponnesian War', Book V (Melian Dialogue)
Force is never more operative than when it is known to exist but is not brandished
— The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660–1783
An army which does not train will never be able to stand the strain
— Military writings, ca. late 19th century
The arrow that returns is the one you failed to notice in flight
— Allegorical commentary attributed to Sun Tzu
The first ingredient of victory is the will to believe it possible
— Speech to Allied troops, 1944
Fate whispers to the warrior, you cannot withstand the storm; the warrior whispers back, I am the storm
— Modern military proverb; no fixed source
The only easy day was yesterday
— U.S. Navy SEAL motto, frequently cited in speeches and training
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free; do not press a desperate foe too hard
— The Art of War, Chapter VII
Foresight in war is better than hindsight in defeat
— Defeat Into Victory (book)
He who knows how to make himself small will find the blow passes overhead, while the proud are struck by every storm
— The Book of Five Rings (Go Rin No Sho), Wind Book
In the arena of conflict, patience can be a sword that bleeds no blood but wins the day through endurance
— Hagakure (Hidden by the Leaves), Chapter 2
Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one
— Lee’s various notes and reflections, cited in The Warrior Within
The hardest victories are those won over ourselves; when we master our doubts, the field ahead grows silent
— Thoughts on War (1944)
To command is to serve; nothing more and nothing less
— Quoted in conversation with Charles de Gaulle
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal
— Patton's personal writings and speeches, c. 1944
To command is to serve, nothing more and nothing less
— Attributed in various speeches and military essays
An army’s effectiveness turns most on its ability to adapt at the eleventh hour rather than the first
— Memoirs: Crusade in Europe
Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal
— Speech to the Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy, 1962
Great things are done when men and mountains meet
— from "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell"
To dare is to lose one’s footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself
— ‘The Concept of Anxiety’ (1844)
In the eyes of the soldier, silence can be as heavy as the artillery, for it is filled with the weight of unspoken fears and commands not yet given
— Letters from the Front, WW2 correspondence
Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far
— Speech at the Minnesota State Fair, September 2, 1901
The actions of a commander are often determined not by the plans he has made, but by the opportunities his adversary presents
— Military correspondence; summarizing campaign experiences
History seldom records the victories won by hesitation
— Anecdotal, credited in 19th-century biographies
In conflict, calculation weighs less than the nerve to act when opportunity flickers and vanishes like smoke
— On War (Vom Kriege)
The ground we occupy is not merely soil but resolve pressed into earth by the weight of our convictions
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail
— Attributed; widely cited in writings and Poor Richard’s Almanack
The field of battle is the most honest place a man can stand, for it masks nothing and lays his soul bare
— Essay: Sun and Steel
The truest test of discipline comes not in the charge, but in the silence before it, when inner chaos must surrender to order
— Military correspondence (translated)
Strategy is about making choices, trade-offs; it’s about deliberately choosing to be different
— Paraphrased from On War (Vom Kriege), Book II
Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men
— Speech to Third Army, 1944
The first and greatest victory is to conquer yourself; to be conquered by yourself is of all things the most shameful and vile
— Republic, Book IV
Even the most formidable shield bears its dents from battles remembered only in silence
— The Book of Five Rings
Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid
— About Face: The Odyssey of an American Warrior, 1989
Battles are won by the power of the mind as much as by the force of arms
— Attributed, various letters and memoirs
Only the disciplined are truly free; untrained armies remain prisoners of their own chaos
— Anecdotal remark attributed to Adolphus regarding his army reforms
It is not the thunder of cannons, but the silence that follows, in which true victories are measured
— Seven Pillars of Wisdom
The wise warrior avoids the battle
— Tao Te Ching, Chapter 69
You must not fight too often with one enemy, or you will teach him all your art of war
— Paraphrased from his maxims
He who conquers himself is the mightiest warrior
— Analects (ancient collection of his teachings)
The true test of a general is not in his victories, but in his ability to master chaos and inspire composure in his ranks amid uncertainty
— Personal writings and letters, WWII period
Sometimes it is entirely right to be afraid; to be afraid, and yet to go on, is the mark of a leader
— Letter to his wife, Ellen Sherman, July 1864
No enemy is more dangerous than one who is convinced of his own righteousness
— On War, Book 1
The courage of a soldier is found to be the least common, and yet the most necessary quality
— Speech to the House of Lords, 1838
The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack
— The Law for the Wolves, 1895
The secret of victory lies not in avoiding defeat, but in transforming setbacks into the stepping stones of tomorrow
— , possibly paraphrased from post-war reflections and writings
The surest victories are those prepared in silence and revealed only at the moment of need
— Attributed saying among retainers in Echigo records
He who has the fastest OODA loop wins
— Boyd military lectures (late 1970s - early 1980s); OODA: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act
The river of conflict cuts its deepest channel where the banks are softest; to withstand the flood, fortify the mind before the walls
— Attributed, strategic writings
Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy
— Quoted in various interviews and speeches, c.1990s
Steel may clash, but it is resolve that decides the outcome when the day is done and the dust has settled
— Military writings and interviews
Every advantage in the past is judged in the light of the final issue
— History of the Peloponnesian War, Book I
On the battlefield, the unforeseen is what most often prevails
— Military aphorisms and correspondence
An opportunity unseized is the most loyal ally of your opponent; delay gives shape to his ambition
— Military directives, 1870 Franco-Prussian campaign
The difference between audacity and recklessness is measured in foresight, not in fortune
— Attributed sayings, various correspondence
When the drums are silent, listen for the footprints in the dust—there you will find the next command
— Posthumous notes, published in Vom Kriege (On War)
A prudent commander is not guided by wishes, but by calculation
— Military correspondence and operational instructions, 19th century
An army marches on its stomach
— Attributed; multiple campaign interviews and memoirs
A wise commander is a gardener of patience, knowing that the seeds of tomorrow's peace are sown in the soil of today's restraint
— .
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat
— The Art of War, Chapter IV
Surprise is an event that takes place in the mind of a commander
— The Foundations of the Science of War (Book, 1926)
Every campaign is like navigating a river whose banks are always shifting; only those who adjust their course endure beyond the first storm
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book VI (Defense)
Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle
— Quoted by various sources in military tradition
A leader must become the calm in chaos, for storms obey those who do not fear them
— Anecdotal, attributed in naval chronicles (exact wording may vary)
In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing
— Speech, 1910, various retellings
Battles are won by the power of the mind as much as by the force of arms
— On War (Vom Kriege), Book II
The only safe general is one who never makes a mistake, and there are no safe generals
— Memoirs of Marshal Joffre