All War Presupposes Human Weakness And Seeks

War Is Not An Independent Phenomenon, But The Continuation Of Politics By Different Means.

Any Complex Activity, If It Is To Be Carried On With Any Degree Of Virtuosity, Calls For Appropriate Gifts Of Intellect And Temperament. If They Are Outstanding And Reveal Themselves In Exceptional Achievements, Their Possessor Is Called A 'genius'.

Everything In War Is Very Simple, But The Simplest Thing Is Difficult. The Difficulties Accumulate And End By Producing A Kind Of Friction That Is Inconceivable Unless One Has Experienced War. ... Countless Minor Incidents - The Kind You Can Never Really Foresee - Combine To Lower The General Level Of Performance, So That One Always Falls Short Of The Intended Goal.

A Prince Or General Can Best Demonstrate His Genius By Managing A Campaign Exactly To Suit His Objectives And His Resources, Doing Neither Too Much Nor Too Little.

War Is The Province Of Chance. In No Sphere Of Human Activity Is Such A Margin To Be Left For This Intruder. It Increases The Uncertainty Of Every Circumstance, And Deranges The Course Of Events.