France, mother of arts, of warfare, and of laws (Les…

France, mother of arts, of warfare, and of laws.

— Joachim du Bellay

“The regrets are like yesterday: they announce only the future. (Les regrets sont comme hier: - Ils n'annoncent que le futur)”

— Charles de Leusse

“More than England to the British West Indian or even Holland to the Surinamer, France is the mother country to the Martiniquan.”

— V.S. Naipaul

My mother is old-fashioned; she raised us like girls from a 19th-century book. My sisters and I are known for being the most polite…

— Lou Doillon

“All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when…

— Alex Gerlis

Any army which does not train to use all the weapons, all the means and methods of warfare that the enemy possesses, or may…

— Vladimir Lenin

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity; (2) They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straight forwardness; (3) Without subtle…

— Sun Tzu

In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win.

— Sun Tzu

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when…

— Sun Tzu

I believe that it is possible for one to praise, without concern, any man after he is dead since every reason and supervision for…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

That prince is highly esteemed who conveys this impression of himself, and he who is highly esteemed is not easily conspired against; for, provided…

— Niccolo Machiavelli

There is nothing as likely to succeed as what the enemy believes you cannot attempt.

— Niccolo Machiavelli

The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…

— Sun Tzu

Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

— Sun Tzu

“In a similar way, The Art of War pinpoints anger and greed as fundamental causes of defeat.”

— Sun Tzu