Quotes from Helmuth von Moltke the Elder

Eternal peace is a dream - and not even a beautiful one.

In the last analysis, luck comes only to the well prepared.

Strategy is a system of makeshifts. Is is more than a science. It is bringing knowledge to bear on practical life, the further elaboration of an original guiding idea under constantly changing circumstances. It is the art of acting under the pressure of the most demanding conditions...That is why general principles, rules derived from them, and systems based on these rules cannot possibly have any value for strategy.

The greatest deed in war is the speediest end of that war, and every means to that end must remain open.

The surest way of achieving your goal is through the single-minded pursuit of simple actions.