Claude Louis Hector de Villars Quotes

My friends ... if you make the people run away, you will die of hunger.

When the first shot is fired, no one can calculate what will be the issue of the war. It is, therefore, of vast importance to reflect maturely before we begin it.

When we are determined upon war, we should carry it on vigorously and without trifling.

My principal attention was always directed to the study of the younger generals. Such a one I found, by the boldness of his character, fit to lead a column of attack; another, from a disposition naturally cautious, but without being deficient in courage, more perfectly to be relied on for the defence of a country.

What! Is it expected that I, a Marshal of France, should be the first to escalade, when I order you to attack?

Fortify your towns, and above all the Schellenberg, that fort above Donauworth, the importance of which the great Gustavus taught us.

Where there are no peasants there are no supplies.

I am going to drive your enemies so far that they shall not again see the banks of the Scheldt; and by a battle on my arrival, to regain all that has been taken from your majesty.

Villars to Louis XIV, quoted by Voltaire ("Sire, je vais combattre les ennemis de votre majesté, et je vous laisse au milieu des miens"),

Also quoted by Voltaire ("Voulez-vous que je vous dise où sont les vrais ennemis du Prince Eugene? Ils sont à Vienne, et les miens à Versailles.")

I was unable before starting to formulate a plan of campaign because I did not know whether I should find an army there ... In fact I found the troops in a deplorable condition, without clothes, without arms, and without bread.

The most shameful, humiliating and disastrous of routs.

A general has to expose his life as much as he exposes the lives of others.

God protect me from my friends, I can protect myself from my enemies. [Variation: Defend me from my friends; I can take care of my enemies myself].

[Your nation] seems immovable, never doing glorious things but by halves, and never disgracing itself.