...only the element of chance is needed to make war a gamble, and that element is never absent.

Men are always more inclined to pitch their estimate of the enemy's strength too high than too low, such is human nature.

...in the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards.

The worst of all conditions in which a belligerent can find himself is to be utterly defenseless.

...in the whole range of human activities, war most closely resembles a game of cards.

Something must be left to chance; nothing is sure in a sea fight above all.

Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will enco…