Helmuth von Moltke

"Boldness in execution is the mark of great commanders."

"One does not have to be stronger; one has to be more clever."

"The individual soldier must understand the general idea."

"There is no shame in defeat unless you refuse to learn from it."

"A general must be ruthless when mercy costs lives."

"Speed is the weapon of the weak against the strong."

"Every soldier carries the fate of an empire in his knapsack."

"The man who has never made a mistake is the man who has never tried anything."

"Civilization cannot afford another great war."

"Thinking in images rather than words."

"The leader must master the science of war and the art of fighting."

"A bad plan executed well is better than a good plan executed badly."

"Know the ground as well as you know yourself."

"Never fight for honor; fight for victory."

"The role of deception in war cannot be overstated."

"A commander is not responsible for what happens, but for what he does about what happens."

"The simplest plans are the best plans."

"In the fog of war, clear thinking is the greatest asset."

"Patience is the ultimate virtue of a commander."

"Attack where they are not prepared."

"The art of war is the art of deception."

"A long war is the defeat of every nation."

"Man proposes, God disposes."

"The principle that the end justifies the means is the source of all evil."

"In war, the outcome is often decided before the battle begins."

"Civilization is only three meals away from anarchy."

"The future is as dark as it has ever been."

"A good administration is worth more than a good army."

"The ability to make decisions quickly is the mark of greatness."

"Never underestimate the importance of supply lines."