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Quote by Antoine-Henri Jomini

“This [a surprise attack] is an operation by no means to be despised in war, although it is rare, and less brilliant than a great strategic combination which renders victory certain even before the battle is fought.”

Quote by Antoine-Henri Jomini

Work

The Art of War

This seminal work explores the principles of warfare, leadership, and conflict resolution, offering timeless insights into the nature of power and the art of winning battles without resorting to brute force. more

Author

Antoine-Henri Jomini
Antoine-Henri Jomini

Antoine-Henri Jomini was a Swiss military theorist and writer, renowned for his seminal works on military strategy and tactics. Born on March 6, 1779, in the Valais region of Switzerland, Jomini served in the Swiss, French, and Russian armies during his career. His most famous works include 'The Art of War' and 'Vindications of the Conduct of the Campaigns of 1815'. He passed away on March 24, 1869. more

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“It is certainly of great importance for a general to keep his plans secret; and Frederick the Great was right when he said that if his night-cap knew what was in his head he would throw it into the fire. That kind of secrecy was practicable in Frederick's time when his whole army was kept closely about him; but when maneuvers of the vastness of Napoleon's are executed, and war is waged as in our day, what concert of action can be expected from generals who are utterly ignorant of what is going on around them?”

“For if many ill-conceived plans have succeeded through the still greater lack of judgment of an opponent, many more, apparently well laid, have on the contrary ended in disgrace. The confidence with which we form our schemes is never completely justified in their execution; speculation is carried on in safety, but, when it comes to action, fear causes failure.”