Quotes About Tactics

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.

All war is deception.

Speed is the essence of war.

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

Der Krieg ist nichts als eine Fortsetzung des politischen Verkehrs mit Einmischung anderer Mittel. War is merely the continuation of policy with the admixture of other means.

The transition from the defensive to the offensive is one of the most delicate operations in war.

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.

The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

Arthur Scargill is the Labour movements nearest equivalent to a First World War General.

To be well prepared for war is the best guarantee of peace.

The nature of war is constant change.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.

Let others wage war. You, lucky Austria, shall marry.

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country.

With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.

We always prefer war on our own terms to peace on someone else's.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

Once the command of the air is obtained by one of the contending armies, the war becomes a conflict between a seeing host and one that is blind.

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

It is my conviction that in time of war, when the cannon speaks with its powerful voice, the less we speak the better.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.

He that makes war without many mistakes has not made war very long.