The Theory Of The Indirect

Natural Hazards, However Formidable, Are Inherently Less Dangerous And Less Uncertain Than Fighting Hazards. All Conditions Are More Calculable, All Obstacles More Surmountable Than Those Of Human Resistance.

No Man Can Exactly Calculate The Capacity Of Human Genius And Stupidity, Nor The Incapacity Of Will.

The Most Consistently Successful Commanders, When Faced By An Enemy In A Position That Was Strong Naturally Or Materially, Have Hardly Ever Tackled It In A Direct Way. And When, Under Pressure Of Circumstances, They Have Risked A Direct Attack, The Result Has Commonly Been To Blot Their Record With A Failure.

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.

The Urge To Gain Release From Tension By Action Is A Precipitating Cause Of War.