The Unknown Is The Governing Principle Of

All The Same, The Fundamental Truths Which Govern That Art Are Still Unchangeable; Just As The Principles Of Mechanics Must Always Govern Architecture, Whether The Building Be Made Of Wood, Stone, Iron Or Concrete; Just As The Principles Of Harmony Govern Music Of Whatever Kind. It Is Still Necessary, Then, To Establish The Principles Of War.

In Tactics, Action Is The Governing Rule Of War.

This Absence Of Similarity Among Military Questions Naturally Brings Out The Inability Of Memory To Solve Them; Also The Sterility Of Invariable Forms, Such As Figures, Geometrical Drawings ( épures ), Plans ( Schémas ), Etc. One Only Right Solution Imposes Itself:;: Namely, The Application, Varying According To Circumstances, Of Fixed Principles.

To Be Disciplined Does Not Mean Being Silent, Abstaining, Or Doing Only What One Thinks One May Undertake Without Risk; It Is Not The Art Of Eluding Responsibility; It Means Acting In Compliance With Orders Received, And Therefore Finding In One's Own Mind, By Effort And Reflection, The Possibility To Carry Out Such Orders. It Also Means Finding In One's Own Will The Energy To Face The Risks Involved In Execution.

A Beaten General Is Disgraced Forever.