Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington Quotes

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

The natural principle of war is to do the most harm to our enemy with the least harm to ourselves; and this of course is to be effected by stratagem.

Mounting a large rock, I was able to see a considerable body of the enemy moving by the flank in rear of their line engaged, and passing from the direction of the foot of Great Round Top through the valley toward the front of my left.

If the tanks succeed, then victory follows.

The first truth for special operations is that quality is more important than quantity.

I used to say of Napoleon that his presence on the field made the difference of forty thousand men.

When you have the weapon that will win the war, you'd be foolish not to use it.

The enemy would not have been in danger if Mr. Stanton had been in the field.

It's worth two divisions to me.

There has never been a military commander in history who didn’t want more men for a longer time …

Superior technical achievements — used correctly both strategically and tactically — can beat any quantity numerically many times stronger yet technically inferior.

Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.

Generals who save troops for the next day are always beaten.

Renown awaits the commander who first restores artillery to its prime importance on the battlefield.

Victory, speedy and complete, awaits the side that employs air power as it should be employed.

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

One sailor will do us more good than two soldiers.

The art of war is to gain time when your strength is inferior.

I give it as my fixed opinion, that but for our graduated cadets, the war between the United States and Mexico might, and probably would have lasted some four or five years, with, in its first half, more defeats than victories falling to our share; whereas, in less than two campaigns, we conquered a great country and a peace without the loss of a single battle or skirmish.

Surprise becomes effective when we suddenly face the enemy at one point with far more troops than he expected. This type of numerical superiority is quite distinct from numerical superiority in general: it is the most powerful medium in the art of war.

Superior numbers versus superior firepower. A recipe for unending slaughter.

To know in war how to recognize an opportunity and seize it is better than anything else.

Opportunity in war is usually of greater value than bravery... Terrain is often of more value than bravery... Bravery is of more value than numbers.

Numerical superiority is of no consequence. In battle, victory will go to the best tactician."- G. A. Custer

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.