Ferdinand Foch Quotes & Sayings

The laurels of victory are at the point of the enemy bayonets. They must be plucked there ; they must be carried by a hand-to-hand fight if one really means to conquer. — Ferdinand Foch

None but a coward dares to boast that he has never known fear. — Ferdinand Foch

A beaten general is disgraced forever. — Ferdinand Foch

I am conscious of having served England as I served my own country. — Ferdinand Foch

To inform, and, therefore to reconnoitre , this is the first and constant duty of the advanced guard. — Ferdinand Foch

My center is giving way, my right is in retreat; situation excellent. I shall attack. — Ferdinand Foch

My centre is giving way, my right is in retreat, situation excellent. I attack. — Ferdinand Foch

There is but one means to extenuate the effects of enemy fire: it is to develop a more violent fire oneself. — Ferdinand Foch

The distribution of troops devoted to the defence of a place includes a garrison, an occupying force, numerically as weak as possible; a reserve as strong as possible, designed for counterattacking and for providing itself, at the moment it goes into action, with a security service which will guard it from any possible surprise. — Ferdinand Foch

The fundamental qualities for good execution of a plan is first; intelligence; then discernment and judgment, which enable one to recognize the best method as to attain it; the singleness of purpose; and, lastly, ... stubborn will. — Ferdinand Foch

It takes 15,000 casualties to train a major general. — Ferdinand Foch

The unknown is the governing principle of war. — Ferdinand Foch

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

The truth is, no study is possible on the battle-field; one does there simply what one can in order to apply what one knows . Therefore, in order to do even a little, one has already to know a great deal and to know it well. — Ferdinand Foch

Every manoeuvre must be the development of a scheme; it must aim at a goal. — Ferdinand Foch

Far from being a sum of distinct and partial results, victory is the consequence of efforts, some of which are victorious while others appear to be fruitless, which nevertheless all aim at a common goal, all drive at a common result: namely, at a decision, a conclusion which alone can provide victory. — Ferdinand Foch

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

Don't drown yourself in details. Look at the whole. — Ferdinand Foch

One is defeated only when one accepts defeat. — Ferdinand Foch

Airplanes are interesting toys, but of no military value. — Ferdinand Foch

The power to command has never meant the power to remain mysterious. — Ferdinand Foch

Regulations are all very well for drill, but in the hour of danger they are no more use. You have to learn to think. — Ferdinand Foch

No study is possible on the battlefield. — Ferdinand Foch

A battle won is a battle which we will not acknowledge to be lost. — Ferdinand Foch

One does simply what one can in order to apply what one knows . — Ferdinand Foch

The will to conquer is the first condition of victory. — Ferdinand Foch

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

In whatever position you find yourself determine first your objective. — Ferdinand Foch

The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire. — Ferdinand Foch

Victory is a thing of the will. — Ferdinand Foch

In tactics, action is the governing rule of war. — Ferdinand Foch