Ferdinand Foch Quotes about War

Aviation is fine as a sport. But as an instrument of war, it is worthless.

Aviation is fine as a sport. But as an instrument of war, it is worthless.

Sports, War, Air Power

The military mind always imagines that the next war will be on the same lines as the last. That has never been the case and never will be. One of the great factors on the next war will be aircraft obviously. The potentialities of aircraft attack on a large scale are almost incalculable.

Ferdinand Foch

Military, War, Mind

The unknown is the governing principle of war.

Ferdinand Foch

Leadership, Sports, War

A war not only arises, but derives its nature , from the political ideas, the moral sentiments, and the international relations obtaining at the moment when it breaks out. This amounts to saying:;: try and know why and with the help of what you are going to act; then you will find out how to act.

Ferdinand Foch

War, Ideas, Political

Ferdinand Foch, Alphonse Grasset (1920). “Precepts and Judgments”

In war there are none but particular cases; everything has there an individual nature; nothing ever repeats itself. In the first place, the data of a military problem are but seldom certain; they are never final . Everything is in a constant state of change and reshaping.

Ferdinand Foch

Military, War, Data

Ferdinand Foch, Alphonse Grasset (1920). “Precepts and Judgments”

In tactics, action is the governing rule of war.

Ferdinand Foch

Military, War, Tactics

Ferdinand Foch (1920). “The Principles of War”

All the same, the fundamental truths which govern that art are still unchangeable; just as the principles of mechanics must always govern architecture, whether the building be made of wood, stone, iron or concrete; just as the principles of harmony govern music of whatever kind. It is still necessary, then, to establish the principles of war.

Ferdinand Foch

Art, War, Iron

"The Principles of War". Book by Ferdinand Foch, 1918.