that the people should perish, or that the Prince should break the treaty he has made. And what man would be so stupid as to hesitate in deciding the question?' … 'If war could fix securely the frontiers of States, and maintain that balance of power which is so necessary for the Sovereigns of Europe, we might regard those who have fallen in war as sacrifices to the public tranquillity and safety.' Reason prescribes a rule from which no statesman should depart: he should seize occasion, and when it is favourable embark on his enterprise. 'La Politique demande de la patience, et le chef-d'œuvre d'un homme habile est de faire chaque chose en son temps et à propos.'[1]
(b) Clausewitz (1780–1834), On War.[2]
Allies in relation to 'the extent of the means of defence':
- ↑ L'Histoire de mon Temps: Avant-Propos. Applications of Frederick's precepts abound in his writings: see, e.g., the beginning of ch. iv of the History.
- ↑ Translated from the third German edition, by Colonel J. J. Graham, 3 vols. in one, 1873. For the connexion of Clausewitz with Scharnhorst and Stein, see Seeley's Stein.