Liddell Hart - Strategy:
"The peaceful nations are apt, however, to court unnecessary danger, because when once aroused they are more inclined to proceed to extremes than predatory nations. For the latter, making war is a means of gain, are usually more ready call it off when they find an opponent too strong to be easily overcome. It is the reluctant fighter, impelled by emotion and not by calculation, who tends to press a fight to the bitter end. Thereby he too often defeats his own end, even if he does not produce his own direct defeat. For the spirit of barbarism can be weakened only during cessation of hostilities; war strengthens it - pouring fuel on the flames."
Machiavelli - The Prince:
The ruler ". . . ought to examine closely into all those injuries which it is necessary for him to inflict, and to do them all at one stroke so as not to have to repeat them daily; and thus by not unsettling men he will be able to reassure them, and win them to himself by benefits. He who does otherwise, either from timidity or evil advice, is always compelled to keep the knife in his hand; neither can he rely on his subjects, nor can they attach themselves to him, owing to their continued and repeated wrongs. For injuries ought to be done all at one time, so that, being tasted less, they offend less; benefits ought to be given little by little, so that the flavour of them may last longer.
Sun Tzu - The Art of War:
"The reason why an enlightened sovereign or a great general consistently wins military campaigns and achieves deeds beyond ordinary militarists is that he has acquired vital intelligence concerning the enemy well in advance.
This foreknowledge cannot be obtained from the spirits, it cannot be acquired from deduction based on past events and it also cannot be sought through astrological observation. It can only come from human beings, spies who possess sensitive information."
