"One must be a fox to recognize..." - Quote by Niccolo Machiavelli

“And the prince who has relied solely on their words, without making other preparations, is ruined, for the friendship which is gained by purchase and not through grandeur and nobility of spirit is merited but is not secured, and at times is not to be had.”

“Good order and discipline in any army are to be depended upon more than courage alone.”

“Where the very safety of the country depends upon the resolution to be taken, no consideration of justice or injustice, humanity or cruelty, nor of glory or of shame, should be allowed to prevail. But putting all other considerations aside, the only question should be: What course will save the life and liberty of the country?”

“Some of the generals are saying, 'We're making progress. We are clearing an area.' But you really don't defeat the Taliban by clearing an area. They move.”

“Strategy is the art of making use of time and space. I am less concerned about the later than the former. Space we can recover, lost time never.”

“That is the whole secret of successful fighting. Get your enemy at a disadvantage; and never, on any account, fight him on equal terms.”

“The most sure method of subjecting yourself to be deceived is to consider yourself more cunning than others.”

“It is often hard to determine whether a clear, open, and honorable proceeding is the result of goodness or of cunning.”

“The most ingenious men continually pretend to condemn tricking--but this is often done that they may use it more conveniently themselves, when some great occasion or interest offers itself to them.”