Every Action Is Seen To Fall Into

While There Are Many Causes For Which A State Goes To War, Its Fundamental Object Can Be Epitomized As That Of Ensuring The Continuance Of Its Policy - In Face Of The Determination Of The Opposing State To Pursue A Contrary Policy. In The Human Will Lies The Source And Mainspring Of Conflict.

In The Case Of A State That Is Seeking Not Conquest But The Maintenance Of Its Security, The Aim Is Fulfilled If The Threat Is Removed - If The Enemy Is Led To Abandon His Purpose.

The Art Of The Indirect Approach Can Only Be Mastered, And Its Full Scope Appreciated, By Study Of And Reflection Upon The Whole History Of War. But We Can At Least Crystallize The Lessons Into Two Simple Maxims- One Negative, The Other Positive. The First Is That, In Face Of The Overwhelming Evidence Of History, No General Is Justified In Launching His Troops To A Direct Attack Upon An Enemy Firmly In Position. The Second, That Instead Of Seeking To Upset The Enemy's Equilibrium By One's Attack, It Must Be Upset Before A Real Attack Is, Or Can Be Successfully Launched

In Any Problem Where An Opposing Force Exists And Cannot Be Regulated, One Must Foresee And Provide For Alternative Courses. Adaptability Is The Law Which Governs Survival In War As In Life ... To Be Practical, Any Plan Must Take Account Of The Enemy's Power To Frustrate It; The Best Chance Of Overcoming Such Obstruction Is To Have A Plan That Can Be Easily Varied To Fit The Circumstances Met.

Avoid Self-righteousness Like The Devil- Nothing Is So Self-blinding.