Maurice (emperor)

"Deception is often helpful in warfare. An enemy soldier who deserts to us, apart from some plot, is of the greatest advantage, for the enemy is hurt by deserters more than if the same men were killed in action."

"Nature produces but few brave men, whereas care and training make efficient soldiers. Soldiers who are kept working improve in courage, while too much leisure makes them weak and lazy. Care should be taken to keep them busy."

"Σοφὸς δὲ στρατηγὸς ὁ πρὸ τῶν πολέμων ἀκριβῶς τὰ τοῦ ἐχθροῦ πολυπραγμονῶν καὶ πρὸς μὲν τὰ πλεονεκτήματα αὐτοῦ φυλαττόμενος, πρὸς δὲ τὰ ὑστερήματα ἐπιβαλλόμενος. Οἷον, ὑπὲρ αὐτὸν τὴν ἵππον ἔχει ὁ ἐχθρός, δέον αὐτὸν τὰς βοσκὰς ἀφανίζειν. Εἰς πλῆθος ἀνδρῶν πλεονεκτεῖ· τὰς τούτων δαπάνας περιστέλλειν. Ἀπὸ διαφόρων ἐθνῶν συνέστηκεν, δώροις καὶ χαρίσμασι καὶ ἐπαγγελίαις ὑποφθείρειν τοὺς σὺν αὐτῷ· ἐναντίως πρὸς ἀλλήλους τὰς γνώμας ἔχουσι, τοὺς πρώτους αὐτῶν μεταχειρίζεσθαι. Κοντάτον ἐστὶ τὸ ἔθνος, || εἰς δυσχωρίας αὐτὸ προσκαλεῖσθαι· τοξόται εἰσίν, εἰς κάμπους τάσσεσθαι σπουδάζειν καὶ τὴν ἐκ χειρὸς σύνεγγυς μάχην ποιεῖσθαι. Σκυθικὸν ἢ Οὑννικόν ἐστι, περὶ τὸν Φεβρουάριον μῆνα ἢ Μάρτιον ἐπιτίθεσθαι, ὅταν οἱ ἵπποι ἐκ τῆς τοῦ χειμῶνος κακοπαθείας ταλαιπωροῦσι καὶ ὡς πρὸς τοξότας τὰς συμβολὰς ποιεῖσθαι. Ἀφυλάκτως ὁδοιποροῦσιν ἢ ἀπληκεύουσιν, ἐν νυκτὶ ἢ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ τούτοις ἀδοκήτως ἐφεδρεύειν. Θρασέως καὶ ἀτάκτως τὰς μάχας ποιοῦνται καὶ τοῦ κακοπαθεῖν ἄπειροι, σχηματίζεσθαι μὲν ὡς πρὸς συμβολήν, ἀναβάλλεσθαι δὲ καὶ διασύρειν μέχρις οὗ τὸ ζέον τοῦ θυμοῦ ἐνδῶσιν, καὶ ὅταν ἀποκνήσωσιν, τότε τὰς συμβολὰς κατ᾿ αὐτῶν ποιεῖσθαι. Ἐν πλήθει πεζῶν προτερεύει, εἰς ὁμαλοὺς τόπους τούτους προτρέπειν καὶ μὴ σύνεγγυς, ἀλλὰ μήκοθεν ἐξ ἀκοντίων τὰς μάχας ποιεῖσθαι."

"The commander who relies on his own cavalry, especially the lancers, should seek out broad plains favorable to such troops and there force the battle.If, on the other hand, he relies more on his infantry, he should take care to choose uneven, thick, and rugged terrain for the fighting."

"In time of peace, fear and the punishing of offenses keep the troops in line, but on active campaign great expectations and rewards get even better results."

"After gaining a victory the general who pursues the enemy with a scattered and disorganized army gives away his victory to the foe."

"When the battle line has been drawn up, the first rule is for the soldiers to maintain the formation and the intervals between the lines."

"The best general is not the man of noble family, but the man who can take pride in his own deeds."

"A general who desires peace must be prepared for war, for the barbarians become very nervous when they face an adversary all set to fight."

"A prudent commander will not lead an allied force into his own country if it is larger than his own army. Otherwise it might mutiny, drive out the native troops, and take over the country."