...the side that feels the lesser urge for peace will naturally get the better bargain. - Carl von Clausewitz

Our knowledge of circumstances has increased, but our uncertainty, instead of having diminished, has only increased. The reason of this is, that we do not gain all our experience at once, but by degrees; so our determinations continue to be assailed incessantly by fresh experience; and the mind, if we may use the expression, must always be under arms.

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

The political object is the goal, war is the means of reaching it, and means can never be considered in isolation from their purpose