SECT. VIII.

OF ATTACK.

l. Nothing great was ever accomplished, where secrecy, dispatch, and resolution were wanting.

2. There is no such being as an inconsiderable enemy.

3. Where your enemies are superior to you, wait for an opportunity to attack them separately or detached.

4. Never make known your designs before the instant you are ready to carry them into execution.

5. Nothing distracts or disunites a confederate enemy more than a show of regard and affection for some of its members.

6. Though it is in no man’s power to command success, yet his good conduct will greatly contribute to it.

7. Nothing encourages an enemy more than your own imprudence.

8. Never regulate your conduct by any desire or intimation of the enemy.

9. Nothing makes an enemy more presumptuous, or puts him sooner off his guard, than a seeming inattention to his conduct. [265]

l0. Let nothing that is little or inconsiderable divert you, but be always spacious and grand in your views and designs.

ll. No medium will ever excite esteem or admiration.

l2. Omit no means to acquire a competent knowledge of the situation and disposition of the enemy, and of the approaches to him.

l3. The more effensive your measures, the safer you are, and the more considerable you become.

l4. He acquires an advantage who deprives his enemy of one.

l5. Where the enemy cannot be attacked with any prospect of success let your operations be such as will either greatly distress him, or oblige him to alter his situation.

l6. Avoid making an attack where the danger is considerable, and the success uncertain.

l7. Dependance upon chance is only justifiable where a delay will make matters worse.

l8. Never risk an acquisition in pursuit of an object of less value.

l9. Risk nothing except your prospect of advantage is considerably greater than what you may lose.

20. That service will be the best executed which has been the most consulted.

2l. There is nothing more difficult to obtain, than the concurrence of those who have different views.

22. Where different interests clash, there can never be a zealous co-operation.

23. Never undertake an enterprize without being sufficiently provided with every convenience.

24. Ever provide yourself with a reserve of whatever is necessary.

25. That service will be most successful which is the best appointed.

26. On all enterprizes, carefully allot to each division its particular servi ce.

27. Make no attack without a plan, nor before the enemy is well reconnoitered.

28. He who makes an attack, should ever remember, that he is to defend at the same time.

29. In case of a repulse, make no attack before a method and place of retreat are determined upon.

30. There can be no greater misconduct than a neglect to prepare men for what they have to do, and also for that which may happen to them.

3l. Every inscribed figure is less than that which circumscribes it.

32. The longer the sides of an isosceles triangle, the greater the extent of its base.

33. All objects of an equal height, placed behind each other upon an acclivity, will be concealed by those in their front.

34. All objects of an equal height, placed behind each other upon an acclivity, will be concealed by those in their front.

35. The more commanding your situation, the better effect your attack will have.

36. That attack will have the best effect, which is the most powerful and best sustained.

37. The weaker your opposition, the surer your success.

38. Any active force will sooner and more easily overcome a lesser resistance than a greater.

39. The success of a sudden attack chiefly depends upon its vigour and rapidity. [266]

40. Never let slip the opportunity of attacking your enemy, while he is unprepared or in the least disorder.

4l. Where you make an impression, rapidly pursue your advantage.

42. Never give the enemy time to recover from any sudden surprize or disorder into which you shall throw him.

43. Never pursue the enemy beyond the distance of your being conveniently supported, or to a place where an ambuscade may be formed.

44. Possess the capital, and the dependencies will fall of course.

45. A victory obtained by generosity and justice, is infinitely more glorious than one acquired by force. Where you are to choose, prefer what is solid to what is susperficial or splendid.

46. There is more judgment in improving a victory, than in gaining it. An action is to be valued more for its consequence, than for itself.

47. A victory obtained by temerity is often admired, though never worthy of praise.

48. Success, however obtained by temerity is often admired, though never worthy of praise.

49. Success too often occasions a destructive confidence.

50. Ever guard against making an enemy desperate.

5l. Never publicly censure the misconduct of the enemy, lest you should provoke him to revenge, or excite him to behave better on a future occasion.

52. There is nothing more pernicious and disgraceful, than a spirit of rapine in an army.

53. Nothing more effectually prevents a revolt, than justice and humanity.

54. Brave minds, howe’er at war, are secret friends, Their gen’rous discord with the battle ends.