The military historian Clausewitz explained that one of
the greatest dangers in war lay in beating an enemy on the
field but failing to win the "willing submission of a
populace." Without that, he observed, your gains become
liabilities... because the enemy makes it impossible for you
to enjoy your successes or advance further. Every step you
take deeper into enemy territory - without secure lines of
supply and support - merely increases the risk of complete
disaster.
Hermann Goering, commander of the Luftwaffe, said before being sentenced to death at Nuremberg: "The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. . . . All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
"Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." --- Napoleon
"It has been, indeed, a trying hour for the Republic; but I see in the future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. As a result of the war, corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed." --- Abraham Lincoln, in reply to a letter from a friend in Illinois, as the Civil War wound down.
"If any question why we died, tell them, because our fathers lied." --- Rudyard Kipling
"You have two choices..." Genghis Khan said at the gates of Samarkand. "You can submit to me... [I will only take your wealth and sleep with your wives and daughters]... or I will kill you all." |
